READY FOR THE NEXT PLAY: Thomasville defenders Dakarri Meeks (97), Kalebb Humbert (55) and Da’Marion Florence listen to instructions on the sideline of Friday’s game.

TIFTON- The Thomasville Bulldogs turned to a familiar strength to end a three-game losing streak Friday night. Playing at 6-A Tift County, the 3-A Bulldogs’ defense delivered two goal line stands and returned an interception for a touchdown, leading to a 42-23 victory.

“They played outside of their mind tonight. They played awesome,” Thomasville coach Jonathan DeLay said.

Leading the Bulldogs’ defensive unit was sophomore linebacker Joe Douglas. Tift County had a first-and-goal at the 2 in the first half. A short run and two failed quarterback sneaks set up a fourth-and-goal. Douglas burst through the offensive line and tackled the Blue Devils’ running back for a loss.

Douglas also delivered on the Blue Devils’ following possession, coming though with an interception at the line of scrimmage and returning it 50 yards for a touchdown, upping the Bulldogs a 21-9 lead.

“He had a great night, another 10th grader,” DeLay said. “I’ve got a ton of guys that haven’t got driver’s licenses yet. They’re playing on Friday night and doing a great job.”

The defensive and offensive units enabled the Bulldogs to “finish” against the Blue Devils, something they were unable to do the week before in a loss to Bainbridge.

“I’ll tell you what, it was 28-23 in the fourth quarter, and we had the lead last week in the fourth quarter and didn’t finish. We talked all week about finishing. We come out on the next drive after the pick-6 and (Cam Hill) throws a daggum (48-yard) bomb to Cole Shaw because he had all day behind that offensive line,” DeLay said. “Cole runs a great route, Cam throws a great ball and it was touchdown Thomasville. It was the dagger right there.”

Hill finished with 202 passing yards and three touchdowns, two to Shaw, who also hauled in a 52-yard touchdown reception.

Junior Ant Anderson scored on a two-yard plunge late in the fourth quarter to cap the scoring for the Bulldogs.

The win improved the Bulldogs’ record to 2-3. They will host Monroe in the Region 1 opener on Sept. 29.