BLAKELY — Thomasville’s final tuneup before the Class AA playoffs ended just like the Bulldogs’ previous three Region 1 games — with a Thomasville win.

The Bulldogs enter this week’s postseason on a four-game winning streak, capped by Friday’s 20-10 victory over the Early County Bobcats. Thomasville finished undefeated in Region 1 play (4-0) and will return home for the first round of the playoffs at Veterans Memorial Stadium against Dodge County.

“When you talk about the positives that come out of this game, you always try to find the positives in every single situation,” Thomasville coach Zach Grage said. “It was a win, an ugly win, but if you look, just like I told the kids, at some point during this playoff run, there’s going to be a game like that. We’re just going to have to grind it out. Defense was lights out. Michael Major had two big fumble recoveries that stopped drives for them. I think we can take this and bottle it up and say, ‘We can win ugly.’ I’ll take an ugly win over an ugly loss any day.”

The Bulldogs experienced solid performances at different points in all three phases Friday night. They blocked a field goal and Bo Mascoe returned it 62 yards for the game’s first touchdown that kept the Bobcats from taking a 6-0 lead. Thomasville had a balanced offensive attack with 144 rushing yards and 123 passing yards but did lose two turnovers on its first two drives. Defensively, the Bulldogs allowed 388 yards and one touchdown, though it was controversial.

Early County scored on a 29-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter to cut the deficit to 20-10. But the referees whistled penalties on both teams, which should have negated the touchdown.

“I believe during a live ball situation if there’s a penalty on both sides, then they do re-play the down,” Grage said.

Unfortunately for the Bulldogs, that didn’t happen. Both teams were heavily penalized as they combined for 25 penalties for 169 yards.

Thomasville hasn’t lost since Oct. 4 to Crisp County. It enters the playoffs having won sox of their its seven.

“I’m proud of the kids, proud of their resiliency. This is a tough place to come play. Early County did a great job tonight, had a good plan,” Grage said. “With our youthful team, we’re still heading into the playoff run without a lot of experience. I’m hoping our guys are up to it. Our seniors, we’re going to have to rely on them a lot.”

Tickets: 

Reserved seating tickets for Thomasville High School’s playoff game on November 15 are on sale to the regular season ticket holders through Wednesday November 13). Reserved seating tickets will be $12 (chair backs) and $10 (no chair backs-Section 0).

General admission tickets for the playoff game will go on sale Thursday, November 14 and Friday, November 15. 

Playoff ticket prices are as follows: (Note: Only babies in arms do not need a ticket):  

General admission tickets will be $8. 

Student’s general admission will be $8, the night of the game. Students may purchase pre-sale tickets from the Dog Pen at a discount of $2 off the general Admission price making the cost $6. Students may purchase one ticket each from their schools at this discounted price).