THOMASVILLE — Thomasville entered Friday night with a three-game playoff losing streak. After the first drive, however, the Bulldogs were poised to advance to the second round.
Thomasville (9-2) took the opening kickoff, drove 82 yards on 15 plays — capped by a two-yard touchdown plunge by Ken Dixon — and cruised to a 24-0 rout of Laney in the Class AA playoffs.
“It shows how much our kids understand this offense,” Thomasville offensive coordinator Matt VerSluis said. “Ken does a great job leading it. The offensive line is unreal. I’ve said that 100 times but they really are.
“The backs did a good job blocking tonight on those long drives.”
The drive was highlighted by five first-down conversions, including one by Charles Hayes on the first play of the game, a 15-yard scamper.
Laney coach Lemeul Lackey added: “We’ve been playing pretty good defense all year and they were able to grind it out a little bit and just keep the ball from us. I thought if we had a couple of more chances here early in the half, we could get something going, but we didn’t and they did.
“My hat’s off to coach Marsh and his staff. They did a good job.”
n THOMASVILLE DEFENSE RISES UP — While Thomasville’s offense moved the ball effectively in the first half, it struggled in the second half, losing a pair of fumbles.
The Bulldogs’ defense responded, however. Laney threw a pair of second-half interceptions and was constantly pressured by Thomasville’s defensive front.
“They did early in the ballgame,” Lackey said. “A couple of kids up inside were a little bit qucker than what we thought they were. We just weren’t able to sustain any of the blocks.”
The Bulldogs’ highly recruited defensive tackle Brandon Thompson was one of those responsible for the Wildcats’ ineffectiveness passing the ball. He recorded a pair of sacks and nearly blocked a punt in the second half.
n RUSHED FIELD GOAL — Thomasville hit a field goal at the end of the first half but it didn’t come without dramatics. Without a timeout and time winding down, Thomasville had a third-and-goal from its 4-yard line. Dixon danced around in the backfield, looking for an open receiver but tucked it under and dashed toward the goalline. He was tackled short of the end zone. Thomasville rushed its special teams on to the field and with 1.7 seconds remaining, the Bulldogs were called for a false start. “You almost want to have that in your playbook,” Thomasville coach Richie Marsh joked.
“It allowed us to get our field goal team on the field.”
After the penalty, Daniel Anders booted a 25-yard field goal.
n TICKETS GO ON SALE — Reserved seat tickets for Thomasville’s second-round playoff game against Savannah Christian will go on sale Monday and Tuesday at Thomasville High School.
They will be on sale from 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m.
Local Sports
Opening drive propels ’Dogs to ninth straight win
- Local Sports
-
-
Yellow Jackets preparing for upcoming season
Thomas County Central's recipe for success this season is simple: Strong pitching, error-free defense and execution on offense.
-
Night Hawks blast Wolfpack
Thomas University needed a spark.
Trent Stoker provided one, as did Chris Cravotta and Hugh Russell Lee. So, too, did Brett White. -
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.
-
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. -
Link to Harris English interview
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=89xCdIeqI8Y&feature=youtu.be
-
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.
-
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. - More Local Sports Headlines
-
Pop Music Superstar Whitney Houston Dies at 48
Whitney Houston's Church Mourns Her Passing
Reaction to Houston's Death at Clive Davis Party
79 Turtles Seized at Shanghai Airport
Severe Cold Wreaks Havoc in China
Fuel Removal Under Way on Capsized Italian Ship
Police: Houston Found Dead in Her Hotel Room
Paul Suffers Narrow Loss to Romney in Maine
Palin Brings Anti-Washington Message to CPAC
Obama Scraps Birth Control Mandate
Navy Names Ship for Gabrielle Giffords
Uzbek Man Pleads Guilty in Plot to Kill Obama
Marines: No Punishment for Nazi-like Flag
Vets Look to Translate Military Skills Into Jobs
Raw Video: School Bus Burst Into Flames
Pentagon: Allow Women Closer to Front Lines
Raw Video: Italy's Mount Etna Bursts Into Life
Air Force Airlines: Leaders Get Polished Service
Ga Girl Fights Off Kidnapper at Walmart
Skip the Coffee Cup and Inhale Your Caffeine Fix
