THOMASVILLE — The Thomasville Bulldogs don’t have much time to celebrate Friday night’s 35-7 homecoming victory over the Berrien Rebels. They’ve got an important business trip on their agenda.
The Bulldogs (7-2, 6-0) will visit the Fitzgerald Purple Hurricanes (9-0, 6-0) next Friday with the Region 1-AA championship on the line.
“It’s going to be a big, big week for us because Fitzgerald has a very good football team,” Thomasville head coach Richie Marsh said. “We’ve got our work cut out for us.”
Against the Rebels (4-5, 1-5), the Bulldogs started slow and finished fast. They exploded for 21 points in the final 9:39 of the first half after being held scoreless to that point — primarily because of turnovers.
The Bulldogs lost a fumble on their first snap and coughed up the ball again just five plays into their second possession. Both turnovers occurred deep inside their territory, but Berrien did not capitalize on them.
“We didn’t start the way we’d like,” Marsh said. “Berrien came in hungry, plus it was homecoming week, so we’re blessed to get out of here with a win.”
Thomasville finally got on the scoreboard when sophomore Quintez Spear, making his second straight start at quarterback, connected with Duanterrius Wilson on a 9-yard touchdown pass. The play came at the end of a 7-play, 50-yard drive that featured a 24-yard run by Jeffery Dyson.
Kearston Edwards led the way on Dyson’s lengthy run around the left end by blocking a defensive back for about 10 yards.
Spear tossed an interception on the Bulldogs’ next possession. Dyson and Charles Hayes directed the next two drives, both of which resulted in lightning-quick touchdowns.
On his first snap under center, Dyson scored on a 52-yard keeper around the right end. Hayes matched the feat, firing a 28-yard scoring toss to Dyson on his first play at quarterback just three minutes later.
Hayes, the usual starter at quarterback, missed last week’s 48-16 pasting of Mitchell County because of a leg injury. He led a second scoring drive in the third period. It covered 67 yards and ended with a 5-yard run by Trey Bryant.
The Bulldogs’ final touchdown was tallied by the defense when end Guy Smith scooped up a fumble and rambled 42 yards with 11:44 to go.
Berrien’s lone score, a 27-yard reception by Asa Nelson, came against reserves with 2:49 to go.
The Rebels were limited to 187 total yards. Vidal Nelson passed for 114, connecting on 13 of 19 attempts. Except for a 10-yard quarterback scramble, Berrien’s longest rush against the Bulldogs’ starters covered seven yards.
Thomasville piled up 314 total yards, including 105 on the ground by Dyson. Spear and Hayes combined to complete five passes for 91 yards.
The Bulldogs didn’t attempt a pass last week.
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