By Barry H. Hendrix
The Thomasville High School Tigers varsity football team won 43-25 over Class 2A, Region 1 opponent, the Monroe County High Tigers, Sept. 10 in Monroeville.
“There were a lot of things we can learn from,” said Clint Anderson, THS Head Football Coach. “We did a lot of good things as well.”
The Tigers took advantage of three turnovers in the game. “We were able to win the turnover battle. (With the turnover on an on-side kickoff), our special teams were a factor. We had some (kickoffs) where we pinned them back and had good coverage.
“At times, we were dominant at the line of scrimmage on the offensive side,” the coach said. “At other times, we missed opportunities.” There were also some costly penalties at times. “It was kind of a mixed bag. Defensively, they (Monroe) came in running something that we had not seen. They executed what they did really well. …We got enough stops when we needed to.
“Every week we are trying to improve. That is what we have got to continue to do.”
Thomasville scored on the first drive of the game with a 5-yard touchdown run by C.J. Rowden (8:21 in the first quarter). The point-after kick by C.J Welch was also good.
Thomasville’s Cooper Elam recovered a Monroe fumble (8:04 in the first). THS had the ball on the Monroe 13-yard line. On the next play, Christian Draper threw to Gunnar Lewis for a TD (7:55 in the first).
Monroe’s Cayden Henderson scored on a 6-yard TD run (10:07 in the second). The 2-point conversion run by Alvin Cook was no good.
THS led 14-6.
Hunter Norwood added a THS TD with a 23-yard run (4:53 in the second).
Steve Grayson recovered a Monroe fumble on the next kickoff (4:44 in the second). Thomasville had the ball on the Monroe 34-yard line. Six plays later, Welch was successful with a THS 26-yard field goal (2:39 in the second).
Jacob Rotton recovered a Monroe fumble (1:30 in the second) on their 24-yard line. Five plays later, Rowden scored on a 1-yard TD run (34.1 seconds in the first half). A 2-point conversion throw was unsuccessful.
THS led 30-6 at halftime.
Henderson scored again for Monroe with a 25-yard TD run (9:06 in the third). The point-after kick by Cavoris Hicks was also good.
Rowden scored again with a 4-yard TD run (4:00 in the third).
Tyson Davis added a 47-yard TD run (32 seconds in the third).
Henderson had a 57-yard Monroe TD run (12.8 seconds in the third). The point-after kick was no good. THS led 43-19.
Henderson added a final Monroe TD with a 2-yard run (4:17 in the fourth). The 2-point conversion by Walter Lett was no good.
Thomasville ran the remaining time off with their last drive which ended with a victory formation.
Thomasville (4-0, 1-0 in the region) will next host the Luverne High School Tigers (4-0, 2-0 in the region) at 7 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 18 at D.F. Anderson Field.
Cash or GoFan will be accepted at the gate. It is just another week of a murders’ row of opponents in the 2026 season.
Luverne is led by head coach Bobby Hudson, in his third year, and the team is packed full of talent.
The Thomasville Tigers will have to contend with quarterback Ja’Daveon McCreary (5), who is effective with the run and pass. “He makes them go and does a really good job,” coach Anderson said.
Other skill players include running backs Elliot Harris (1) and Jayden Laird (6), linebacker Caden Wiggins (8) and Steven Malone (57), and receivers Daevon Smith (0) and Jadin Harris (3). “They roll out so many guys. They’ve got weapons everywhere. It is a really talented group.
“Their offensive line averages over 300 pounds,” coach Anderson said. “They are really big upfront.”
Thomasville will have to minimize mistakes. “We’ve got to win the turnover battle again and establish field position. These are the little things, when you play good teams, that you have to do to win. It will be a challenge but also a great opportunity for our players. …Iron sharpens iron – so you want to play good people.”