Clint Thompson
THOMASVILLE — Thomas County Central has wrapped up the Region 1-AAAA title and a No. 1 seed in the upcoming playoffs.
The Yellow Jackets do have a pair offensive starters battling key injuries.
Quarterback Eric Dodson twisted his ankle Friday night against Westside-Macon. It happened on a passing play when Dodson was pressured from a Seminoles defender.
“It just got fell on,” Dodson said. “It’s going to always hurt. I’ve got to rehab it and get ready for Bainbridge next week.”
Curtis Brooks, one of Dodson’s backfield mates, is being hampered by a thigh bruise. His availability for next Friday’s regular season finale at Bainbridge is uncertain.
“We’ve got some other backs who may need some playing time if Curtis is not ready to go,” Central coach Bill Shaver said. “We’ve got the No. 1 seed locked up. By no means are we going to back off next week because it’s an important game for us.
“It’s a big game because we’re playing a guy that we love and respect. We want to go over there and make a good showing, but we’re going to be smart, too. If Curtis is not 100 percent, he won’t play.”
For the second time, Central will face Bainbridge and former Central coach Ed Pilcher.
CALM IN THE STORM: Last year’s 51-0 loss at Westside apparently had no effect on Shaver Friday.
“Most of the time when I wake up on Friday mornings, I’m as nervous as a cat on a hot, tin roof,” Shaver said. “For some reason I had a little peace this morning. I felt like we were going to play well.
“I was doubting a little bit after the first 10 points.”
Westside scored the game’s first 10 points within the early part of the first quarter. Central had two fumbles and one interception within its first four plays. Despite the slow start, the Yellow Jackets remained calm on the sidelines.
“Eric was disappointed in himself but our defense felt good,” Shaver said. “The plays that we fumbled were there. We just threw the pitch behind the guy and then we laid the handoff on the ground. It was the same play that Eric scored on. It wasn’t like the play wasn’t there.”
TOUGH SCHEDULE BENEFITS CENTRAL: A tough game was nothing new for the Yellow Jackets. It was something the Seminoles hadn’t experienced until Friday night, however. Central had a pair of close non-region tilts with Thomasville and Cairo. Westside hadn’t had a close game all season. That played a big role in Central’s win Friday night.
“I said, ‘Guys, if we just get into a close game, they haven’t been in one. Their closest game was 17 points and that was against Bainbridge,’” Shaver recalled. “They were up Bainbridge 17-0 in the first quarter. They really hadn’t been in a game where they were even close to being behind or in front.
“I told them at halftime this is our game. They don’t know what to do right now.”
Central led 20-10 at halftime before recovering the second-half kickoff. Westside backed off the pooch kick thinking it was going out of bounds. It didn’t and Central took advantage.
“Thank the Lord, the ball bounced, and didn’t take that turn and bounce out of bounds,” Shaver said.
“We recovered it and great job by the offense of putting it in the end zone.”
