Clint Thompson
THOMASVILLE — For the third straight year, Thomasville’s season ended in disappointing fashion.
There are plenty of reasons for optimism in 2010, however.
Twenty-four juniors are slated to return. The upcoming senior class includes speedsters Jeffery Dyson and Famous Welcher, and linemen Carlton Butts, Tyree Williams and Jeremy Johnson. That group will be counted to replace a talented senior class that includes Charles Hayes, Lanoris Christopher and Fred Holton.
“We did lose a lot. We lost part of our family,” Thomasville coach Richie Marsh said. “In turn, we’ve got some kids that have been waiting for their opportunity, too.”
Next year’s Bulldogs will be looking to break a playoff jinx. The Bulldogs were ousted last week by Jefferson County 24-17 in overtime in the second round of the Class AA playoffs. The year before, Dublin beat Thomasville 21-14 in the second round. Combine those tough defeats with a heartbreaking 20-16 loss to Lovett in the third round of the 2007 playoffs, and the Bulldogs are feeling the agony of defeat.
“This is my 19th year. I’ve never seen anything like it,” Marsh said. “There’s obviously a bigger lesson to be learned in it. What that lesson is, I don’t know. I’m sure God’s plan is perfect.
“That’s what I try to tell myself.”
This past season was not all about disappointments, however. Thomasville defeated arch-rival Thomas County Central for the first time in nine years. The Bulldogs had a six-game winning streak in which they pitched three straight shutouts. Thomasville also won a playoff game for the third straight year. It is the first time that feat has occurred since 1991-93.
Thomasville may have also found its future quarterback. Sophomore Quintez Spear saw substantial time behind center with Hayes nicked up most of the season. He’s just a small piece of next year’s puzzle the Bulldogs will be assembling in the offseason.
“We’re in that position here every year,” Marsh said. “We were in that position coming out of 2007. We’re in that position now. I think there are kids that are hungry and have put their time in and that are waiting in the wings to take over for those kids.
“There was a scout team that was out there every day that could have easily been on that field if given the opportunity. They really worked hard against us every day. It was a battle in practice a lot of days. Those guys are anxious to get on the field and we’re anxious to see them out there.”
