Toombs Outlasts Thomasville in Second Round Thriller
The Toombs County High School Bulldogs football team overcame a deficit in the second half to defeat the Thomasville High School Bulldogs on Friday, securing a spot in the GHSA Class A Division I quarterfinals with a 24-19 victory.
The win at Booster Stadium ('The Pit') moves Toombs County to an 11-1 record and extends their winning streak to 8 games. The Bulldogs will now prepare to host Northeast Macon in the Elite Eight this Friday in a rematch of last year's State Championship game which Toombs won.
In a battle between two of South Georgia's premier programs, points were at a premium early. Toombs County struck first in the second quarter when senior standout Justin Powell powered into the end zone from 7 yards out. The PAT by Alex Otero made it 7-0.
Thomasville (8-4) responded quickly, not with their offense, but with a defensive spark. A fumble recovery returned for a touchdown knotted the game at 7-7. Before the half, continued from page
Toombs County regained a slim lead on a 31-yard field goal by Otero, sending the home team into the locker room up 10-7.
The visitors came out firing in the third quarter. Thomasville quarterback Cam Hill connected with AJ Hill Jr. on a 58-yard touchdown strike, giving Thomasville a 13-10 advantage after a missed extra point. It marked the first time Toombs County had trailed since the first quarter.
But the fourth quarter belonged to the home team. Quarterback Joseph Owens reclaimed the lead for Toombs with a clutch 14-yard touchdown pass to Justice Wilds, making it 17-13. Minutes later, Powell delivered the knockout blow — a spectacular 57-yard touchdown run that extended the lead to 24-13.
Thomasville fought to the end, adding a late 30-yard touchdown pass from Hill to Nigel Pittman to cut the deficit to 24-19, but a failed twopoint conversion and a solid defensive stand sealed the victory for Toombs County.
Justin Powell: The senior running back was the engine of the offense with a career high 37 carries on the night, rushing for 232 yards and 2 touchdowns. His 57-yard score in the fourth quarter provided the decisive cushion. It was Powell's career high in carries. Joseph Owens: Managed the game efficiently and threw the go-ahead touchdown pass in the fourth quarter.
With the victory, the No. 4 seeded, and #2 ranked, Toombs County Bulldogs advance to the quarterfinals (Elite 8) of the State Playoffs. They are set to face the Northeast Raiders (Macon) this Friday night at 7:30 p.m. Northeast is coming off a win in their second-round matchup, 26-14 over Swainsboro, setting the stage for a high-stakes showdown in Lyons.
Coach Buddy Martin’s squad continues to rely on a punishing ground game and a disciplined defense that has allowed an average of just 14 points per game this season.
Justin Powell put in the work last Friday night for the Bulldogs as he rushed for 232 yards on 37 carries, a career high, to help secure the win over Thomasville.Photo by Mike Branch
