By Barry H. Hendrix
The Thomasville High School Tigers varsity football team beat Class 2A, Region 1 opponent, the Hillcrest-Evergreen High Jaguars, 48-21 Oct. 23 at D.F. Anderson Field.
“We played against a team that was hungry,” said THS Head Football Coach Clint Anderson. “They were fighting to get into the playoffs. They came out physical, and I was proud of our guys for responding in kind.
“…It was good for us to play that kind of four-quarter game and come out on top.”
The Tiger offensive line and running back C.J. Rowden delivered body blows to Hillcrest with long drives throughout the game. “The best thing we did all night was establishing 10 or 11-play drives. I think we had five (drives) that had 10 plays. We overcame adversity in situations. …It was a grind-style mentality – keeping their offense off the field.
“…I thought (Tiger quarterback Christian Draper) did a good job of being efficient with his passing opportunities,” Anderson said. “The receivers did a good job with catches and extending drives.
“…I was also proud of our ball security. They (the Jaguars) were trying to rip the ball away. Our backs did a really good job of protecting the football and continuing to keep their legs moving and push the pile.”
Jacobie Rudolph scored for Hillcrest with a 4-yard touchdown run (10:05 in the first quarter). The point-after kick by (29) was also good.
Thomasville’s C.J. Rowden scored from the 1-yard line (3:54 in the first). The point-after kick by C.J. Welch was also good.
Hillcrest scored again with a 21-yard pass from Jayvin Evans-Turner to Demarion Williams (25.6 seconds in the first).
Thomasville scored with a 3-yard TD pass from Christian Draper to Gunnar Lewis (6:44 in the second).
Tyson Davis added a Tiger TD with a 4-yard run (38.9 seconds in the second).
Thomasville led 21-14 at halftime.
C.J. Rowden added a Tiger TD with a 5-yard run (5:31 in the third quarter).
Rudolph scored another Hillcrest TD with a 13-yard run (3:08 in the third).
Rowden ran 2 yards again to the end zone (8:24 in the third). The point-after kick was no good. Thomasville led 34-21.
Thomasville’s Hunter Norwood recovered a Jaguar fumble (7:37 in the fourth) on the Hillcrest 18. Two plays later, Rowden ran 11 yards for the score (7:01 in the fourth).
Eric Millsap recovered a Hillcrest fumble (4:31 in the fourth) on the Jaguar 7. On the next play, Rowden scored (4:23 in the fourth).
Thomasville (9-1) will host the Dadeville High School Tigers (6-4) in the first round of the Class 2A state playoffs at 7 p.m. on Nov. 7 at D.F. Anderson Field. Cash or GoFan will be accepted at the gate.
“Now, every week is a one-game season,” Anderson said of the state playoffs. Every team that is still around in the playoffs is there for a reason.
“…Dadeville is a really physical team.” Head Coach Chad McKelvey is in his third season. Standouts on the Dadeville team include quarterback/safety Davis McKelvey (3) and running back/outside linebacker Corde Jefferson (4). “They are elite players,” Anderson said.