THOMASVILLE — Football is back and the season kicked off on Friday night in Cairo as the Thomas County Central Yellow Jackets visited long time rival the Cairo Syrupmakers. Though the first quarter had fans hoping for a close contest, Central stretched their lead and finished the Syrupmakers off with a 38-0 victory.

Both teams introduced new quarterbacks to their fans in this opening game. The Yellow Jackets sent out Sophomore Jaylen Johnson, while Mitchell County transfer and senior Juderek Gee-simmons took the field for Cairo. Both QBs had difficulty gaining momentum. Gee-simmons seemed frustrated in his first start and Johnson struggled early to connect on the explosive pass plays that Central wanted. For Johnson, Central head coach Justin Rogers wanted to get him into the thick of it early to get out the nerves of his first varsity start.

“Let’s let him get hit right from the jump, go ahead and get that over with because he hasn’t been hit,” said Rogers. “Let’s get that first one over with and realize it’s just like middle school football, buddy. It’s still football.”

Though Johnson struggled to find his receivers for big gains, he was very productive. The Central sophomore finished the game with 213 passing yards and two touchdowns. He also rushed for a pair of touchdowns. 

TCC broke open the scoring quickly with Johnson throwing his first touchdown of the season to sophomore receiver Tre’von Pringle. The feeling of the intense rivalry was also seen quickly as, on Cairo’s ensuing possession, a fight broke out and spilled over to the Cairo sidelines. The scuffle was broken up quickly, but fans and players alike could feel the intensity of the game rising.

The first quarter ended 7-0 TCC, but Cairo was looking good. Gee-simmons looked to be passing well and the Cairo secondary was locking down Central’s passing game. However, that would be as good as it got for the Syrupmakers.

The Jackets may have continued to struggle in the air, but on the ground Trey Benton was making it happen. Brenton did not have the explosive runs he was looking for, but the Yellow Jackets were able to pound the ball up field with short gains. Brenton finished the game with 125 rushing yards averaging 5.8 yards-per-carry. 

TCC was clearly looking to make a statement in this game. After Johnson got involved in the run game and punched the ball in for a rushing touchdown, the Yellow Jackets looked like the 2009 New Orleans Saints as they executed an onside kick and recovered the ball with 4:50 left in the half. This was arguably the turning point in the game. Down 17-0 and allowing a surprise onside kick seemed to get the Syrupmakers frustrated, as evidenced by an unfortunate late hit penalty.

Though Central continued to struggle to connect on deep pass plays, their run game continued to dominate and, with 54 seconds left in the half, Johnson took the ball into the end zone on a quarterback keeper for his second rushing touchdown and his third TD of the game.

Despite the 24-0 score, both teams came out in the second half with something to prove and with plenty of intensity.

Central’s defense was pumped up and playing lights out against the Syrupmakers, opening the half with a pick by Clayton Hutto. Central continued to try for the deep pass, but Johnson and his receivers just couldn’t connect. The run game continued to deliver, however, as Central punched in another rushing TD to go up 31-0.

The Syrupmakers looked to start gaining some momentum in the third quarter as they blocked a Central punt and recovered the ball near the goal line. However, Gee-simmons and his receivers failed to connect on several quick pass attempts and Cairo turned the ball over on downs.

The following Jackets possession was a break out drive for Johnson, as he finally connected with a receiver for Central’s first coveted explosive play. Johnson found his mark on a quick pass that went for 30 yards.

“They’re important. You have to have those. I mean, the game of football, the way it’s played, going ten plays and scoring is hard to do,” said Rogers on the need for explosive plays. “So, you have to look for opportunities for explosive plays and that’s something we’re going to keep generating.”

Johnson didn’t waste any time generating another explosive play as he found Jackets’ tight end Malachi Thomas streaking down field for a 28-yard passing TD, stretching Central’s lead to 38-0. Fans can likely expects the Johnson-Thomas connection to thrive this year as the big tight end looks to be one of Central’s most dangerous receiving threats.

The Syrupmakers secondary didn’t let the deep strike get them down, however. They continued to lock down Yellow Jacket receivers and later in the forth quarter Cairo corner Octavian Teal had an impressive strip, taking the ball directly out of the hands of Thomas on a short pass.

“We had some people step up in different position and I’m proud of those guys that did,” said Cairo head coach David Coleman.

However, the secondary would be the only true highlight of the game for Cairo. The TCC run game was unstoppable and the Syrupmakers struggled to produce any offense on the ground or through the air. It was a tough game for Cairo and the Yellow Jackets were the reason why as they pushed through for a shut out, something Rogers was very proud of.{

“To shut out a big rival game like this, Cairo, something that matters, that’s a huge accomplishment for these young men.”

Cairo will look to bounce back this Friday night as they take on Monroe, who won their week one contest over Gee-simmons’ former school Mitchell County 3-0.

“Our focus now is going to Monroe,” Coleman said. “Its the start of a new week and a new team, a new opponent and the goal is to go 1-0 this week.”

Meanwhile, the biggest game in South Georgia will take place in the heart of Thomasville as the Yellow Jackets welcome the Thomasville Bulldogs to the Jackets Nest for the Rose City Rumble.