CORDELE, Ga. — Thomasville High’s final tuneup before region play begins turned into a shootout against Class AAA foe Crisp County on Friday night. The Bulldogs overcame a 21-point first-half deficit, only to lose 42-38.

Thomasville head coach Zach Grage emerged from the locker room very disappointed in his team’s effort for a second straight week.

“It was terrible, completely uninspired. Defensively, the worst performance we’ve ever put out,” Grage said. “Twenty-three points is the most they had ever put up in a game so hat’s off to them for having a great plan.”

The Cougars ran for 426 yards, led by 235 from freshman Marquez Palmer. He recorded a pair of touchdowns and added a 63-yard jaunt in the first half. Quarterback A.J. Lofton added 100 and Anthony Lewis tallied 91 for Crisp.

“Right now it’s on me because for whatever reason, why are they not inspired? Why are they not motivated? Why are they not going to play football like Thomasville? I’m sick of the excuses,” Grage said. “We’ve got to get better next week or we’re going to get embarrassed again.”

The Bulldogs dropped to 4-2 and will open region play next week at Brooks County.

Thomasville gave itself a chance after falling behind by three touchdowns in the first half. It took the lead twice in the second half, the last of which came off a 33-yard touchdown toss from quarterback Chad Mascoe to Jay Tillman. Thomasville led 38-35.

But Crisp County only need four plays and 81 yards to respond. Lewis’ 51-yard gallop set the Cougars up at the 10-yard line. Palmer’s darted into the end zone for his second touchdown and a Crisp County lead.

Thomasville had one last gasp following its third punt block. The turnover gave the Bulldogs at the Cougars’ 25. But a run and three incompletions ended the scoring threat.

The first half saw a little bit of everything. The teams combined for 35 second-quarter points. The offenses tallied 403 total yards in the first two quarters. The Bulldogs blocked two punts, the last of which set up Thomasville’s offense at Crisp’s 28-yard line. The drive moved to the 1-yard line where Mascoe dove into the end zone for the half’s final touchdown.

Mascoe passed for 74 yards in the first half, including a 30-yard touchdown strike to Tillman to tie the game 7-7.

But two Bulldogs turnovers led the visitors to trail 28-7 midway through the second quarter. An interception off a halfback pass from Kevin Cochran and a fumble three offensive plays later for the Bulldogs led to two Cougars touchdowns. Thomasville also missed a 38-yard field goal but made a 35-yard extra point following an unsportsmanlike penalty.

Running back Ma’lek Miller led the Bulldogs with 143 rushing yards. Mascoe added 49 rushing yards and 167 passing yards.