By Barry H. Hendrix
The Thomasville High School Tigers varsity football team lost a lot of talented seniors from the 2024 squad. It was a team that was undefeated during the regular season last year.
“We have got a lot of players to replace,” said Clint Anderson, THS head football coach. “We had a 1,500-yard rusher and a 2,000-yard rusher. We had a quarterback, who could execute the offense very well. We had an offensive line that had a lot of snaps under their belt.”
Anderson is pleased with the student athletes who are returning and will be counted on to make a major contribution, such as seniors George Pugh, Brayden Bradford, B.J. Cheeseboro and Mychal Brothers. The players returning with the most experience are on the offensive side.
“There are a lot of opportunities for young guys to get a lot of reps,” the coach said. “It is a very important fall camp for us.” The coach may see contributions from many players, not matter what their grade is. “Our goal is to get better every day, and I think we will. I am excited about our sophomore class. …We’ve got some good pieces to the puzzle. We just have to put them in place.”
There has been really good attendance to the spring and summer workout programs. “I have been pleased with the way of guys have come to work.” Anderson appreciated the effort of the parents of the players to help get the students to the workouts four-days-a week. “We have a lot of optimism that our guys are buying in to the work.” That effort will translate well to learning in fall camp.
Christian Draper (10th grade) will be the starting quarterback for the 2025 season. Hunter Norwood (10th grade) could also see some time at QB, Anderson said. Norwood will also work at wingback.
There are many players he expects to touch the ball, including Cheeseboro, Jakaden Grayson (junior), Troy Davis (ninth grade), C.J. Rowden (10th grade), and Alvin Patrick (10th grade).
The Tigers are essentially a running team on offense but proved to be “opportunistic when we threw the ball last year,” the coach said. “We try to take advantage of what defenses give us. We definitely don’t rule out throwing the football.
“In the Wing-T, we are a run-based offense, but we have some weapons, receiver-wise, that give us that downfield threat,” such as Brothers, Cheeseboro, Norwood, Gunner Lewis (10th grade), and C.J. Welch (junior).
The THS football program benefits from a long standing experienced coaching staff. Brad Elam will be helping more full time with linebackers and backs. John David Phillips also coaches backs. Adam Elliott will be special teams coordinator along with working with the defensive line and tight ends.
Russell Stephens works with the offensive and defensive lines. Cody Drinkard will be the defensive coordinator and works with linebackers. Ryan Anderson will work with the secondary and receivers. Trent Smith will work with wingbacks and splint end receivers. Coleman Anderson works with the kicking game.
The 2025 regular season will begin with two of the most difficult games of the season: hosting Leroy on Aug. 22 and visiting Sweet Water on Aug. 29. “We will definitely get tested early.
“…Leroy is traditionally one of the best programs in the state,” the coach said. “They have a lot of talent returning. …That will be a really big challenge was us, especially with a young group. It is a situation where we will have to experience adversity…and seeing how we respond.”
“Sweet Water will be a physical battle. Coach (Pat) Thompson does an outstanding job. They will be well coached. It will be a another, big physical test for our young guys.”
Anderson sees the Class 3A, Region 3 as particularly difficult. The Tigers have to travel Sept. 5 to Southside Selma, who went to the fourth round of the state playoffs last season. Thorsby on Oct. 3 will be a solid opponent. “Hale County (a road trip on Oct. 10) has all their offensive weapons returning.”
Thomasville will travel Sept. 19 to Wilcox Central in Camden. Coach Anderson expects them to much improved under second year head coach Brandon Cheatham.
The annual “Back Yard Brawl” with Clarke County on Oct. 30 will be a challenge as the Bulldogs welcome new coach Jason Massey.
After being undefeated in region last season, the Tigers will have a target on their backs. “You want to be in a program that people respect,” Anderson said. The coach does not take any opponent lightly. There is a lot of pride in the opponents the Tigers play.
In pre-season practice before what is expected to be a tough season, “the expectation is to be physical,” coach Anderson said. “They guys, who have worn this uniform, who have come before, have set that expectation. We (the coaches) harp on it. That’s the way we need to play the game. The things we do in practice involve the highest expectation of physicality.
“That translates into your game. If you practice physical, you are more apt to be physical when you play.”