By Barry H. Hendrix
The Thomasville High School Tigers varsity football team defeated the Clarke County High School Bulldogs 34-28 Oct. 30 in the annual “Backyard Brawl” at D.F. Anderson Field.
“We played physical and with a lot of energy,” said Clint Anderson, THS Head Football Coach. “Clarke County had a really good team. They were undefeated in the region and were playing really well. …I was pleased with the way we came out early and got a stop on the first series – and were able to drive down and scored. For the most part, we were able to continue to answer anytime they responded offensively.
“We got some big turnovers late in the game,” the coach said. “Gunnar Lewis had a really big pick, and Troy Davis caused a fumble that Gunnar recovered. Those were big plays in the second half.”
Thomasville scored first with a 7-yard touchdown run by Hunter Norwood (6:45 in the first quarter). The point-after kick by C.J. Welch was also good.
Troy Davis would add another TD with a 59-yard run (9:13 in the second quarter).
Draelyn Pugh threw to Jamarion Jenkins for 16-yard TD pass (7:06 in the second). The point-after kick was no good.
Norwood scored again for the Tigers with a 25-yard TD run (3:11 left in the first half).
Pugh ran 42-yards for another Bulldog TD (22.4 seconds in the second quarter). Pugh also threw to Braylon Watkins for the 2-point conversion.
The Tigers led 21-14 at halftime.
Thomasville scored on the first play in the third quarter with a 79-yard TD run by Davis (11:25 in the third).
Pugh ran 5 yards to score for Clarke County (7:59 in the third). Pugh also threw to Jenkins for the 2-point conversion. Tigers led 28-22.
Christian Draper passed 38 yards to B.J. Cheeseboro for a Tiger TD (6:05 in the third). The 2-point conversion was no good.
Gunnar Lewis intercepted a Bulldog pass (5:08 in the third). The Tigers had the ball on the Clarke 32, however the next possession ended over-on-downs (1:14 in the third).
Lewis recovered a Bulldog fumble (4:24 in the fourth quarter). The Tigers had the ball on their own 35. However, Thomasville could not move the ball and had to punt.
Pugh would score again for the Bulldogs with a 1-yard TD run (2:08 left in the game). The 2-point conversion was no good.
An on-side kick by Clarke County was unsuccessful, and the Tigers ran out the remaining time.
Thomasville will next travel Friday, Nov. 7 to Smith Station to play Glenwood School in the first round of the state playoffs. Kickoff is at 7 p.m. central time.