Thomasville's Tori Sapp runs a route in practice for the Florida-Georgia War of the Border Game on Tuesday.

THOMASVILLE — Last season, Thomasville’s Tori Sapp was one of the leaders that led the Bulldogs back to the playoffs as Region 1-2A runners-up. Now, he’s looking to the future.

The wide receiver and running back is seeking a chance to get looked at by college scouts at the Florida-Georgia War of the Border Game this week, as he takes part in practices and the actual contest taking place on Friday night.

Besides the college aspect, Sapp is happy to have the opportunity to suit up for the game he loves in high school one more time.

“It’s a great environment to be back again playing football,” he said. “Getting to play my last high school game in my home stadium — I’m excited and ready to play.”

Sapp was a key part of the offense in his senior year at Thomasville. He totaled 372 yards receiving with three touchdown catches as a receiver, and added 169 yards rushing. He also played a role on special teams as a return man, with 230 kick return yards. 

Besides his contributions on the field, he hopes he has been a part of leaving a culture at his school that will carry on long after he’s gone.

“It was great just being a leader on the team and building a bond with my brothers on and off the field,” Sapp said. “It was great going to the playoffs after not going the year before. I feel like we as seniors left a legacy and standards for the young class to go farther than us.”

Sapp already has a scholarship offer from the University of the Cumberlands in Kentucky. This week gives him an opportunity to perhaps get an offer closer to home, and one south Georgia school is reportedly coming out to see him. 

“Valdosta State’s gonna come out and just watch him specifically,” Thomasville head coach Zach Grage said. “If we can get Tori to show out for the game and at practice and Valdosta comes at the right time and sees him on the right play, that might be something that gets them on.

“We always talk about play every play like it’s your last. Everybody seems to ramp it up a little bit more when they see somebody with a little college emblem on their shirt. It’s big for the kids.”

It might be easy to feel some pressure with those kind of stakes on the line, while also playing against some unfamiliar faces on Friday. Despite that, Sapp is determined to stay loose and keep a razor-sharp focus.

“My focus is to play hard, have fun, and stay calm,” he said. “Don’t overreact because I’m playing people I’ve never played against. Just play my game.”