By Barry H. Hendrix
The Thomasville High School Tigers varsity football team defeated the W.S. Neal High School Blue Eagles 27-12 Sept. 4 in East Brewton.
The Tigers started well with a great opening kick special teams play to recover a Neal fumble. “It is something that we work on,” said Clint Anderson, THS Head Football Coach. “Our guys executed it, ended up getting the recovery, and then our offense took it in and scored. We made a statement early. It got the momentum in our favor. It ended up being a big part of the whole first half.”
The Tiger defense was able to contain Neal’s key players, Jarrod Crook (1) and Jaden Ewing (25) for the most part. “I thought our defensive plan was executed really well,” the coach said. “We had some good awareness as far as formations and where their personnel were – in relation to what they like to do.
“Our guys tackled well.” The THS players got little tired toward the end and had a couple of breakdowns. However, “for the most part, I was very pleased with our improvement on that phase of the game.
The Tiger defense was able to mix up his looks and put pressure on the Neal quarterback. Thomasville was able to handle the speed option they ran, Anderson said. They contained his option to scramble.
With a 20-2 lead at halftime, the Tigers took the opening drive of the third quarter and scored. “That was a good starting point on finishing the game. We challenged them at halftime.”
Thomasville ended the game with a 7-minute drive to run the clock out. The Tigers grinded on the Neal defense, protected the football, and quarterback Christian Draper executing the offense. “That is what we are supposed to do to finish the game. The defense gives us the ball back with a lead with potential to drive on down and score and put it out of reach, or to drive down and eat the rest of the clock. I was very pleased with our offense for doing that.”
The game began with the Eagles fumbling on the opening on-side kick, and Thomasville’s C.J. Welch recovered at the Neal 43-yard line.
Six plays later, Thomasville’s C.J. Rowden scored from the Neal 1-yard line (8:43 in the first quarter). The point-after kick by Welch was also good.
Rowden scored again with a 19-yard TD run (4:35 in the first). The point-after kick was no good.
Neal recovered a Thomasville fumble (11:47 in the second quarter). The Eagles had the ball on the THS 45-yard line, but five plays later, they had to punt.
Tyson Davis scored on a 56-yard TD run (8:34 in the second). Thomasville led 20-0.
Due to a bad snap on a Tiger punt, Neal scored a safety (midway in the second quarter).
The halftime score was THS 20-Neal 2.
Rowden scored his third TD with a 2-yard run (9:38 in the third quarter).
Jaden Ewing scored a Neal TD on a 10-yard run (7:29 in the third). Despite two penalties, Jonah Wilson was successful with a 37-yard point-after kick.
The score was THS 27-Neal 9.
Wilson hit a 31-yard field goal for Neal (third quarter).
Thomasville performed a kneel down at the Neal 1-yard line as the game ended.
The Tigers (3-0) will next play their first Class 2A, Region 1 game against the Monroe County High School Tigers (0-2, 0-1 in the region) at 7 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 10 at Tiger Stadium in Monroeville. (Note the special date.) Cash will be accepted at the gate.
The Monroe Tigers are coached by Robert Wilkerson in his second year. He has brought a new discipline to the program. Despite the opening two losses, the team has quality players Thomasville will have to be concerned about, such as Jaden Howard (quarterback), Kavion Armstrong (defensive end/halfback), Loyalty Watson (running back/defensive lineman), and Isaac Watson (lineman).
It is going to be another big test after a short week of practice. “We will be undersized going in,” coach Anderson said. “They are big upfront. …Coach (Wilkerson) does a really good job, showing an odd-and-even front at times.
“…Their quarterback is extremely athletic. He does a really good job improvising, when the play breaks down. He can hurt you with his legs.
“They have a big running back and another skat-style back, who is quick and explosive. They are always dangerous.” The Monroe receivers are skill players.
“It is going to be a test of our discipline,” the THS coach said. “We have to make sure we don’t get caught with our eyes in the backfield. We need to make sure we are sound tackling on the perimeter.
“When you have guys that are explosive when they scramble at quarterback, you can’t allow a lot of guys to spy.” The one defensive player, spying the Monroe quarterback, has to make the tackle, Anderson said. “There is going to be a lot of pressure for our guys to execute that phase of it.”
The Thomasville offensive line will have to contend with some big, capable Monroe linebackers. “It will be a match up issue at times. We are going to have to have good pad level to be able make those blocks where our backs can run in the hole and protect the football.
“…If we are able to come in and get off to a fast start again, like we did last Friday, we will be in good shape.”