By Erik Harris, sports editor
TRUSSVILLE — The Hewitt-Trussville High School football team is scheduled to host Thompson next Friday, Sept. 18 in what has become a highly anticipated home opener.
The No. 1 vs. No. 2 matchup is certainly the premier high school football game in the state, and perhaps now the country, as ESPNU will broadcast the action next week, according to a Friday announcement from HTHS.
“We are excited that ESPNU will be visiting Trussville next week,” said Trussville City Schools Athletics Director Lance Walker. “We are honored to showcase our community and all of our gifted students.There are so many people that make Friday night’s special, and we are excited to share our game day experience with a national audience.”
In order to accommodate the television window, the Class 7A, Region 3 game will begin at 7:30 p.m. — 30 minutes later than the typical AHSAA contest.
“We are fired up for our team to play on ESPNU September 18,” said Floyd. “This is a great opportunity to showcase our team, cheerleaders, band, students and the entire Trussville community on a national level. This will be the third time in three years that our program has played on one of the ESPN networks so it is a true blessing to see our team get rewarded with this opportunity.”
The second-ranked Huskies improved to 4-0 Friday night thanks to a dominant showing at Tuscaloosa County. Head coach Josh Floyd’s team took three first-place votes from No. 1 Thompson in the latest Alabama Sports Writers Association (ASWA) poll.
The Warriors (4-0) have held their No. 1 ranking in each of the four installments of the ASWA poll since winning the 2019 state crown. Hewitt-Trussville handed Thompson its only loss — a 35-29 final on Oct. 25 — last season.
Time will tell if the Huskies can strike again. This time, with everyone watching.