Bulldogs preparing for déjá vu

Local Sports

Related Photos

File photo

Hurricane defense resembles Hornets’

Jamie Wachter The Times Enterprise Thu Nov 06, 2008, 10:42 PM EST

THOMASVILLE — Thomasville may see déjá vu tonight.

When Thomasville faces Class AA No. 8 Fitzgerald at Veterans Memorial Stadium, the Bulldogs may have flashbacks to Oct. 17, when they visited Cook.

“They take a lot more chances than they did last year,” Thomasville coach Richie Marsh said about Fitzgerald’s tough defense, which has allowed just 10.5 points per game. “We’re going to have to be focused that when they take those chances, that we can pick it up — that we block them. They’re a little more risky, their style is a little more like Cook than it has been in the past, and we didn’t get it done in Cook, as far as taking care of their risky play. So we have to get better at that this week.”

While the Bulldogs (5-4, 5-1 in Region 1-AA) pulled out a 14-7 win at Cook, Thomasville committed seven penalties to help short-circuit a couple of drives deep in Cook territory, allowing the Hornets to stay close. In the three weeks since, Marsh is hoping his Bulldogs have progressed with the playoffs just a week away and the right to host a first-round game on the line.

“That’s the thing with Cook — when you play Cook, you’re either going to get better, drastically better the next week, or you’re going to get worse, because they’ll destroy your confidence,” Marsh said. “It’s either one or the other. So, there’s two ends to the spectrum. I hope we got better at picking those risky fronts up.”

While Fitzgerald’s defense has changed strategy, little else has been altered with the Purple Hurricane (8-1, 5-1). After three straight years of close games, Marsh expects another defensive battle tonight.

“They’re fast, and they hit,” he added. “It’s going to be a battle with them. But usually in battles, what will happen is, a player will make a play and those are the differences in the ballgame.

“If we’d sum it up, that’s what we see with their defense — very fast and very physical. Now, we think we can be physical, too. We think we have a little bit of speed, too.”

With both teams featuring quick and physical defenses, Marsh said the teams may be even more balanced than last season, when Thomasville edged Fitzgerald 28-14.

“Last year, we played them and we were blessed — we had some big plays,” he noted, adding that Fitzgerald’s offense is more dangerous this year with a host of key returners from last year. “Now, we’re a lot more evenly matched than we were last year. I think last year there was a discrepancy there between our offensive line and their defensive line.”

Text Only

Local Sports

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.

February 9, 2012 1 Photo
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.

February 9, 2012 1 Photo
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.

February 9, 2012 1 Photo
Link to Harris English interview
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=89xCdIeqI8Y&feature=youtu.be

February 8, 2012
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.

February 8, 2012
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.

February 8, 2012 1 Photo
THS tennis teams sweep Central
Thomasville’s tennis teams had successful starts to their ’12 season.
Thomas County Central's didn’t.

February 7, 2012 4 Photos
Syrupmaids topple Jackets
It was senior night at Thomas County Central on Tuesday.
A Cairo upperclassman stole the show, however.

February 7, 2012 1 Photo
Jackets edge Trojans
Thomas County Central edged non-region foe Brooks County Saturday night.

February 4, 2012
Central girls topple Brooks County
Thomas County Central's girls pulled away from Brooks County Saturday night.

February 4, 2012 1 Photo
More Local Sports Headlines