THOMASVILLE — Thomasville’s defense will look to weather an offensive storm tonight in Fitzgerald.
The battle for Region 1-AA supremacy could come down to the Purple Hurricanes’ effectiveness with their wing-T — an offense that’s averaging 46 points per game. Fitzgerald has scored fewer than 42 points just once this year.
“They’re a big challenge,” Thomasville defensive coordinator Lamar Landing said. “They move the ball well. They throw the ball well. They’ve got some really nice athletes. We’re just going to see if we can match up with them and let our kids play football.”
Thomasville’s toughest chore may be trying to slow Fitzgerald senior Trenton Pruitt. The son of head coach Robby Pruitt, Trenton has been utilized at running back, wide receiver and on kickoff returns. His production has paid major dividends, scoring 16 touchdowns, including four in the season opener against Irwin County.
“He’s a really, really good offensive player. He’s special,” Thomasville coach Richie Marsh said. “They do a lot of things with him, and he’s very successful in what he does.”
Among Pruitt’s highlights this year is a 58-yard touchdown run against Worth County, a 78-yard touchdown on a kickoff return and 34-yard touchdown run against Mitchell County, and a 62-yard touchdown reception last week against Albany. The touchdown pass was one of 13 for sophomore quarterback Kaleb Nobles, who has helped Fitzgerald develop a passing threat.
“They throw the ball more than they ever have,” Marsh said. “Kaleb Nobles is a sophomore and has unbelievable poise.
“I think he has a 62.8 percent completion rate. The 38 percent non-completions hit people in the hands. He throws it on the money. They present a bigger threat offensively to us than they have in the past because they throw the ball so well.”
Landing added, “They have a real nice quarterback who has one of the quickest releases of the football that I’ve seen in a while.”
Nobles’ best game came in a 48-0 rout of Early County. He tallied four touchdowns, including three through the air. Marsh pointed out that Nobles’ his football knowledge is way beyond his years.
“They’ve got a quarterback that’s been in quarterback camps since he was in the fifth grade,” Marsh said. “His dad (Buddy Nobles) is the offensive coordinator for Fitzgerald now. The kid just grew up around football and has been in and out of camps his whole life. He’s an exceptional quarterback.”
One advantage Fitzgerald’s wing-T offense could have is its scheme against Thomasville’s aggressive defense. The wing-T thrives on confusing defenses with misdirection. With the Bulldogs’ defense so fast and quick, it could run itself out of position.
“It just comes down to discipline and playing your assignments,” Landing said. “Against the wing-T, you have to be really good on your assignments, and we’ve been focusing on our assignments for some time, whether it’s the ‘I’ or the spread or the wing-T. As long as we play our assignments, we always give ourselves a chance on defense.”
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Bulldogs look to weather an offensive storm
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