RESOLVING THE LEDGER
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PHENIX CITY, Ala. – When Trent Seaborn made his first start at quarterback for Thompson (AL), he was as nervous as any first-time starter would be. There was just one difference: Seaborn was just 14 years old and hadn’t even started high school yet.
“I can remember it clear as day,” Seaborn said. “I was so scared.”
Four years later, Seaborn took the field for his final season opener in a Thompson uniform, and the difference was evident.
Not only has the Alabama commit grown a few inches, expanded his skill set and helped lead the Warriors to three state championships, but he has learned how to embrace the pressure that comes with being a starting quarterback.
“It’s funny, I think back to all the other years I’ve played and I would be nervous before all the games,” Seaborn said. “But it was kind of a different feeling when I stepped off the bus today. I just felt calm and collected.”
That confidence was on full display on Thursday, Aug. 20, as No. 9 Thompson rolled past Central-Phenix City 41-14 in the AHSAA Kickoff Classic, finishing with 27 unanswered points.
The Warriors held the Red Devils scoreless in the second half in what was a rematch of last year’s AHSAA Class 7A state semifinal, when Thompson edged Central 35-34.
“It was a close game last year – obviously it ended up in our favor – but we felt like we left some stuff on the table,” Seaborn said. “When we came out tonight, I really felt like the whole team just left it all out on the field.”
Thursday marked Seaborn’s 46th start in a Thompson uniform, a milestone few high school quarterbacks ever reach.
Over his four years of play, Seaborn has amassed 10,145 yards and 103 touchdowns. He added 343 yards and four touchdowns Thursday, moving him closer to the Alabama high school record of 11,024 total yards held by Piedmont’s Jack Hayes.
“It’s been a blessing that I can’t describe,” Thompson head coach Mark Freeman said of coaching Seaborn.
As a five-year varsity player, Seaborn has seen plenty of players come and go. But each year, he has had to adjust to a new group of players and learn how to win with whoever is on the field.
“I don’t really look so much at myself, I just look at my teammates that I’ve had all along the way,” Seaborn said. “It’s just cool to be a part of a new team every year and make these friendships.”
Although the Warriors are only one game into the season, Seaborn has taken note of the talent on this year’s squad.
“I have really high confidence for this team,” Seaborn said. “It’s definitely one of the really good teams that I’ve been a part of – and I’ve been a part of a lot of really good teams. So, I’m excited to see once adversity hits how this team responds.”
Seaborn, however, might not be representing the Warriors if it weren’t for one special family – the Tagovailoa’s. Seaborn trains under Galu Tagovailoa at Raising Champions, where he previously trained alongside Galu’s sons, Tua and Taulia Tagovailoa.
Taulia, who was Thompson’s starting quarterback in 2017 and 2018, inspired Seaborn to want to play for the Warriors.
“Coach Galu Tagovailoa, he’s been like a second dad to me ever since I was six years old,” Seaborn said. “He’s brought me up alongside Talia and I really got to learn and watch how he would operate – not just on the field, but off the field.”
Seaborn also watched Tua develop into a star quarterback at Alabama and began to envision himself following a similar path in Tuscaloosa – a dream that will become a reality next year when he joins the Crimson Tide.
For now, though, Seaborn’s attention remains on Thompson and one final run at a state championship.
“I really don’t want to think about him leaving,” Freeman joked. “I may pack up and go with him.”
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Alabama commit Trent Seaborn opens final high school season, nears state passing record
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