By Barry H. Hendrix
The Thomasville High School Tigers varsity football team lost 43-10 Nov. 7 to the Glenwood School Gators in Smiths Station.
With the loss in the first round of the state playoffs, the 2025 season ended for the Tigers.
“Glenwood had a really good team,” said Clint Anderson, THS Head Football Coach. “We were banged up. We had injuries over the course of the season with two-way players. That made it more of a challenge.
“I was proud of our effort. I thought the guys played hard. In the last half of the season, we got really good effort out of all of our guys.
One positive for the season was the ability to get playing time for a lot of young players. “We were able to get a lot of young guys reps,” he said. “That is bound to pay dividends going forward.” The Tigers were without key players at times throughout the season. Young players gained valuable experience during the season and in the playoff game. “It will springboard us to our off-season weight training. I think all the players realize that getting, bigger, stronger, faster will enhance (their ability on the field).”
The younger players “have seen what the grind is like over the course of a season. How physically prepared you are determines your success.”
Players from an undefeated junior high season will join the varsity team next year. “I thought they had a very good season,” Anderson said. “There are a lot of positives, and a lot of things to look forward to.”
Coach Anderson was pleased with the great showing of Thomasville fans making the long drive to Glenwood School. “You can’t say enough good things about the support we get from our community. They travel well. They support these players, and it means a lot to them and us coaches as well.”
Details of the game at Glenwood included:
The Gators recovered a Tiger fumble on their own 48-yard line (4:09 in the first quarter).
On the next play, Trey Claridy threw to Cameron Dawson for the touchdown (3:57 in the first). The point-after kick by Clay Sauerwine was also good.
Unfortunately, the Tigers fumbled on the next kickoff. The Gators had the ball on the Tiger 32. Three plays later, Nathan Malone ran 29 yards for the score (3:05 in the first).
Troy Davis ran for a Tiger TD inches from the end zone (6:07 in the second quarter). C.J Welch added the point-after kick.
Glenwood added another TD with a 47-yard pass from Jalen Stanley to Zayden Hart (3:42 in the second).
C.J. Welch was successful with a 28-yard field goal (nine seconds in the second quarter).
Glenwood led 21-10 at halftime.
Claridy threw to Christopher Lawrence for 71 yards and the score (6:34 in the third quarter).
The Gators recovered another Tiger fumble on the next kickoff. Glenwood had the Tiger 42 (6:32).
Malone ran two yards for another Gator TD (5:11 in the third). Cam Dawson threw to Kade Cox for the 2-point conversion. The Gators led 36-10.
Stanley threw 43 yards to Zayden Hart for a Glenwood TD (2:19 in the third).