By Barry H. Hendrix
The Thomasville High School Tigers varsity football team beat the Leroy High School Bears 22-21 Aug. 21 in the season opener at D.F. Anderson Field. It was a tough win over an elite opponent.
The Tigers showed improvement on the offensive line, said Clint Anderson, THS Head Football Coach. Under the leadership of quarterback Christian Draper, Thomasville had positive offensive plays from Gunnar Lewis, C.J. Rowden, Tyson Davis and Gavin Cowan.
“We feel like we left some points on the field,” the coach said. “…You’re very excited to get the win, but you saw flashes of what you can be. And putting it all together enough to win each week is the key. …You want to make sure that you stay focused and come up with a good game plan and execute.”
Thomasville puts a lot of emphasis on special teams. The Tigers benefited from a kickoff return for a touchdown and a game winning field goal. After Leroy scored an early third quarter TD, THS responded with that kickoff return. “It was setup perfectly,” Anderson said. “All we had to do was execute.”
“…The more we are able to convert those field goals (by C.J. Welch), the better off we will be offensively.”
On defense, from the first half to the second half, “we started seeing us grow up a little bit – as far as maturity and game experience.” Thomasville was able to get some key stops on Leroy’s talented offense in the second half. Also, better tacking in the second half was a factor.
Every play was important in the game. “They (the Bears) are very skilled,” the coach said. “If you are not sound, as far tackling (or linebackers fitting into an assigned gap), staying in phase in coverage, they will exploit that.
“Our guys were able to make enough plays in the secondary and our D-Line was able to apply pressure. I thought it caused them to make some throws earlier than they would have liked. Also, there were times when the (Leroy) quarterback had to pull it down because we had good coverage.
“All of it works together to form a solid defensive performance,” Anderson said. Lessons the Tigers learn from mistakes made and from successful plays will carry them through the remainder of this challenging 2026 season. “It’s always good to come out with a learning experience – with a win - versus a loss.”
Thomasville scored first with a 66-yard touchdown pass from Christian Draper to Gunnar Lewis (10:14 in the first quarter).
The point-after kick was no good.
Leroy scored on a 12-yard TD run by Ian White (8:08 in the first).
The point-after kick was no good.
C.J. Rowden ran for 14 yards and a THS score (4:39 in the first). The point-after kick by C.J. Welch was also good.
There was a 96-minute weather delay.
Leroy had a 3-yard TD run by Jace Sellers (11:53 in the second quarter). The point-after kick by Gabriel Posey was also good.
Leroy led 14-13.
Thomasville’s 37-yard field goal attempt was no good (7:09 in the second).
The Halftime score was Leroy 14-THS 13. There was a 10-minute halftime period due to the long weather delay.
Leroy scored on a 42-yard TD pass from Sellers to Jacory Yelder (10:51 in the third quarter).
Thomasville’s Gavin Cowan ran the next kickoff back for the TD (10:36 in the third). The 2-point conversion run was no good.
Leroy led 21-19.
A 25-yard THS field goal by C.J. Welch was good (11:26 in the fourth quarter).
A Leroy pass was intercepted by Cooper Elam (3:32 in the fourth).
Leroy recovered a THS fumble (3:16 in the fourth).
Time ran out on Leroy’s last drive.
THS (1-0) will next host the Sweet Water High School Bulldogs (0-1) at 7 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 28 at D.F. Anderson Field.
Cash or GoFan will be accepted at the gate.
Flomaton didn’t do the Tigers any favors by defeating Sweet Water last week. This is always an annual rivalry game between the Tigers and Bulldogs, and Sweet Water will have extra incentive to bring their best game.
Drew Luker is in his first year as the head coach of the Bulldogs. “They are going to be well coached,” Anderson said. “All these players know each other. We are going to get their best. Hopefully, we will give them our best.
“(Like the game against Leroy) it will be another fourth quarter game. …You want to make sure at the end of the four quarters, that you have left everything on the field.”
The Bulldogs are known as a team, despite the score, that never gives up. “They are a resilient group of athletes with a lot of rich tradition,” Anderson said. “When you have that (fan) following, wherever you go, you play at a different level.”
Coming off an exciting win over Leroy, the Tigers will need to be prepared. “Every week is going to be its own individual challenge. …Week in-and-week-out, it is going to be a grind. …Our goal every week is to get better. …I believe our senior leadership will ground us. We need to get back to work and have a productive week.”