By Barry H. Hendrix
The Thomasville High School Tigers varsity football team defeated Class 2A, Region 1 opponent, the Chickasaw High School Chieftains, 42-6 Oct. 16 at Dotson Field in Chickasaw.
With a short week of preparation, “our guys were able to handle all the changes pretty well,” said THS Head Football Coach Clint Anderson. “We went into an unfamiliar place and did what we needed to do to get out of there with a region win.”
Thomasville won the turnover battle by recovering three fumbles and one interception. “That’s a challenge that we always give to our defense – to get takeaways.”
The Chieftains played hard, Anderson said. “Our guys had to execute to be successful. Our guys made the plays they needed to make. (Except for the Tiger fumble in the end zone), we technically pitched a shutout.”
Tyson Davis scored the first Thomasville touchdown with a 29-yard run (10:43 in the first quarter). The point-after kick was no food.
C.J. Rowden added another TD with a 17-yard run (7:38 in the first quarter). The point-after kick by C.J. Welch was also good.
Guwan Tate recovered a Chieftain fumble (3:16 in the first) at the Tiger 10-yard line. However, four plays later, Chickasaw’s Lorenzo Smith recovered a Thomasville fumble in the end zone (1:58 in the first).
The 2-point conversion by Chickasaw’s Jeremiah Russell was no good.
Thomasville led 13-6.
Davis ran 21 yards for a THS TD (11:37 in the second quarter). A 2-point conversion run by Davis for also good.
Paxton Kennedy intercepted a Chickasaw pass (7:10 in the second quarter). The Tigers had the ball on the Chieftain 29-yard line. Two plays later, Davis scored for Thomasville with a 28-yard run (5:50 in the second).
C.J. Voltz recovered a Chieftain fumble (5:21 in the second) at the Chickasaw 21.
On the next play, Hunter Norwood ran into the end zone (5:11 in the second).
Thomasville led 35-6 at halftime.
Rowden added another Thomasville TD with a 38-yard run (1:03 in the third quarter).
K’Marion Leach recovered a Chieftain fumble (5:03 in the fourth quarter) on the Tiger 41. Thomasville ran the rest of the time off.
The Tigers (8-1, 4-1 in the region) will end the regular season by hosting region opponent, the Hillcrest-Evergreen High School Jaguars (3-5, 3-1 in the region), for “Senior Night” at 7 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 23 at D.F. Anderson Field. The pre-game Senior Night ceremony will begin at 6:30 p.m.
Cash or GoFan will be accepted at the gate.
This game will be crucial for seeding in the state playoffs.
Ignore Hillcrest’s overall record, they have played difficult competition. The Jaguars are led by Head Coach Davern Williams in his first season.
“Hillcrest are always really talented,” Anderson said. “They are well coached. We will definitely have our hands full and have to come out and play well. We will get their best effort.”