Thompson quarterback Taulia Tagovailoa shuffles to his left -- avoiding an oncoming rusher -- and zings a perfectly placed pass to a streaking receiver who races into the end zone.

Strike up the band and celebrate another touchdown pass for the Alabama quarterback commit.

Everybody sees the touchdowns and how Tagovailoa makes throwing a football look so effortless.

What everybody doesn't see, said Thompson coach Mark Freeman, is the work -- far away from the limelight -- Tagovailoa has done to make himself into a better player this season.

"Sometimes I'll be here on Sundays, and he's the only one in the weight room," Freeman said.

Tagovailoa has Thompson on the cusp of winning its first state championship since 1982, as the Warriors meet Central-Phenix City in tonight's Class 7A championship game at Auburn's Jordan-Hare Stadium. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m.

Scouts' View: Breaking down Central-Phenix City vs. Thompson in Class 7A title game https://t.co/SQ4QjAobhl pic.twitter.com/PkvqfS5BIS — AL.com H.S. Sports (@aldotcomPreps) December 4, 2018

Make no mistake, Thompson likely wouldn't be here without Tagovailoa.

He's completed 261-of-426 passes for 3,684 yards this season, averaging 14.1 yards per completion while throwing 35 touchdowns and five interceptions. He needs 449 yards to set a new AHSAA single-season passing record, something that seems unlikely against a Central defense allowing just 7.8 points per game.

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His numbers looked awfully similar to 2017, when he was 287-of-435 for 3,820 yards, with 36 TD passes and eight interceptions, even with a new set of receivers.

Opposing coaches agree he's most dangerous when the play breaks down and forces him to improvise.

“If he gets in any rhythm at all, you’re going to be in trouble,” Oak Mountain coach Cris Bell said last month.

Freeman said Tagovailoa has been better this season, explaining he's improved his ability to read defenses and decode coverages, while also being more physically strong. Freeman has rewarded his quarterback's hard work by giving him "more freedom" in the offense.

Tagovailoa has rewarded Thompson with its first trip to the championship game in more than 30 years. A big game tonight would also serve as a strong closing argument as voters evaluate his Mr. Football resume.

"He's unbelievable," Mountain Brook coach Chris Yeager said.

Fans get one more chance to see him on the high school stage. Trust me, he's worth the price of admission.

Josh Bean covers high school sports for AL.com. He can be reached at jbean@al.com.