In 2023, Thompson High School will aim for their fifth consecutive championship, often referred to as “one for the thumb.” They have been dominant, winning the 7A title four times in a row. As the new season starts, they are ranked as the top team in the High School Football America Alabama Top 10 rankings, powered by NFL Play Football.
Just like in 2022, head coach Mark Freeman has set up a strong non-region schedule to test his team. Thompson High School will start by facing Opelika and then go on to host a formidable opponent, national power IMG Academy from Florida. In the Preseason HSFA 300 national rankings, IMG holds the No. 5 spot, while Thompson is ranked at No. 15 in the country.
Thompson faces another challenging non-region game against No. 7 Clay-Chalkville at the end of September.
Their region, 7A Region 3 in Alabama, is ranked as the eighth toughest in the nation by High School Football America’s own algorithm.
Apart from Thompson, the region includes other strong teams like No. 5 Hewitt-Trussville, No. 6 Hoover, and No. 8 Vestavia Hills. Hewitt-Trussville has a big test in its season opener against No. 2 Central (Phenix City), while Hoover will face No. 3 Auburn in their first game.
High School Football America Alabama Top 10 Preseason
| Ranking/Team | 2022 Record | HSFA 300 Preseason Ranking |
| No. 1 Thompson | (11-3) | 15 |
| No. 2 Central (Phenix City) | (10-3) | 62 |
| No. 3 Auburn | (12-2) | 66 |
| No. 4 Saraland | (14-1) | 83 |
| No. 5 Hewitt-Trussville | (8-4) | 112 |
| No. 6 Hoover | (11-2) | 114 |
| No. 7 Clay-Chalkville | (8-2) | 189 |
| No. 8 Vestavia Hills | (7-5) | 289 |
| No. 9 Theodore | (13-1) | NR |
| No. 10 Mountain Brook | (12-3) | NR |
