Clint Thompson
THOMASVILLE — It took almost 78 minutes for Thomas County Central to score its only goal Friday.
The Yellow Jackets’ defense was good enough to make it stand.
Montavious Diaz’s goal with 2:33 remaining catapulted the Yellow Jackets to a 1-0 win against Region 1-AAAA rival Bainbridge Friday at Thomas University.
The win vaulted the Yellow Jackets into a No. 1 seed in next week’s region tournament, which begins Tuesday at 7:30 p.m. at Thomas County Stadium.
“Bainbridge defended very well,” Central coach Jonathan Carroll said. “We created chances.
“It was just a matter of us taking them.”
Diaz caught a pass in the waning moments of the second half. He dribbled to his left and knocked in the goal with his left foot past Bainbridge’s sprawling defender, Tevin Akins.
It was one of many scoring opportunities the Yellow Jackets had. Diaz had several shots on goal but was kept off the scoreboard by Akins until late.
“We may have to work on finishing,” Carroll said.
Central keeper Brian Jensen delivered a game-changing save.
After the Yellow Jackets were called for a penalty, the Bearcats had a free kick in front of Central’s goal. Bainbridge’s shot was stuffed, though, as Jensen kept the Bearcats off the scoreboard.
“Luckilly, Brian read it,” Carroll said.
“Brian pulled one out of the bag for us then.”
