THOMASVILLE — Thomasville’s backs were against the wall on defense Friday night.
Three second-half fumbles by the Bulldogs offense left Fitzgerald ample opportunity to bridge a two-touchdown deficit.
The Bulldogs’ defense stiffened, however, preserving a 28-14 win.
“We got beat up front,” Fitzgerald coach Robby Pruitt said. “We couldn’t stop them very well and we couldn’t move it very well. They’re definitely the better team.”
With the Bulldogs clinging to a two-touchdown lead, the Purple Hurricane forced a fumble at the Thomasville 30. The Purple Hurricane couldn’t muster a first down, however, throwing an incompletion on fourth down.
On Thomasville’s next possession, the Bulldogs moved the ball to the Purple Hurricane 33 before fumbling on first down. Again, the Bulldogs’ defense kept the Purple Hurricane out of the end zone, forcing a short completion on a fourth-and-12 in Bulldog territory. Thomasville was aided by a great push up front from Quintez Hayes, as he burst through the line on third down to stuff running back Nick Williams at the line.
“Quintez has been working real hard,” Thomasville defensive coordinator Lamar Landing said. “Their offense was very tough.
“He really worked real hard and came hard tonight, and I’m real proud of him.”
Hayes also recorded a quarterback pressure in the first quarter on a key fourth down that resulted in an incompletion, when Fitzgerald was driving for the game’s first score. He and linebacker Willie Bradshaw teamed on a key sack on the Purple Hurricane’s first drive of the third quarter.
“Willie Bradshaw coming off the outside — he just puts a lot of pressure on you,” Landing added. “The backs, when they didn’t pick him up, he made them pay.”
Thomasville’s defense also perservered after being on the field the majority of the second half.
“When you run the option, you’ve just got to expect that’s going to happen,” Bulldogs defensive ends coach Tommy Taylor added. “Whether we’re defending it from the six-inch line going out or the six-inch line going in, that’s our job as a defensive coaches and defensive players and we understand that.”
Friday’s win has the Bulldogs on the verge of winning their first region title in three years. It can claim the Region 1-AA championship with a win next Friday at Randolph-Clay and if Early County loses to Albany.
“It puts us in a driver’s seat capacity, where, if we can win out, we’ll win another region here, and that’s been our goal since coach (Richie) Marsh has got here,” Taylor added.
Local Sports
Thomasville remains perfect in region play
- Local Sports
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Aiming high
Nick Dodson was a track star on the high school and collegiate levels.
It’s almost time to see how the former Thomas County Central compares against the top professional hurdlers in the country. -
Walking wounded Lady Night Hawks
Thomas University's opening-day lineup will have a different look than what coach Bill Wilson envisioned in the preseason.
The pitching rotation has had to be reshuffled as well. -
THS girls look to start region tourney at home
It may be the final day of the regular season, but the postseason begins tonight for the Thomasville Lady Bulldogs.
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Link to Harris English interview
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=89xCdIeqI8Y&feature=youtu.be
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Singletary honored by Region 1-AAAA
Thomas County Central sports some of the top athletic teams in Region 1-AAAA.
The Yellow Jackets also feature the top athletic director. -
English off to strong start
Harris English is coming off his best finish on the PGA Tour in this, his still very young rookie season.
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THS tennis teams sweep Central
Thomasville’s tennis teams had successful starts to their ’12 season.
Thomas County Central's didn’t. -
Syrupmaids topple Jackets
It was senior night at Thomas County Central on Tuesday.
A Cairo upperclassman stole the show, however. -
Jackets edge Trojans
Thomas County Central edged non-region foe Brooks County Saturday night.
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Central girls topple Brooks County
Thomas County Central's girls pulled away from Brooks County Saturday night.
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