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Late heroics doom THS against Miller
Almost like a Greek tragedy or opera the Thomasville 28-23 loss to T.R. Miller had three distinct parts: the roaring opening, the pounding middle followed by the tragic end last Friday night at D.F. Anderson Field in Thomasville. The game pitted the top two programs in Class 4A with Thomasville coming in at number one and Miller right behind at number two. Miller's ball control offense produced one first quarter touchdown and limited Thomasville to just five offensive snaps. Three minutes into the second quarter Miller added to that lead with another score to take a 14-0 lead with 9:03 left in the half. The next series of plays set up defining moments in the game. Thomasville was able to convert a first-and-38 over three plays but after getting a new set of downs fumbled the ball to Miller. On the first play Miller connected for an apparent 64-yard touchdown. But just before the receiver crossed the plane, Alex Buford was able to knock the ball free and it squirted through the back of the endzone for a touchdown. A score there could have nailed the door shut between these two powerhouses. As it were from that point until 6:08 left in the contest, Thomasville reeled off 23 points while holding Miller's offense to just 2-yards of total offense. Starting at their 20-yard line following the touchback, Thomasville moved the ball downfield. On first and 10 Tiger quarterback Jake Overstreet found Daril Jackson for a 25-yard touchdown. Henrique Aguiar kicked the PAT and Thomasville was back in the game 14-7 with 3:03 to go before the break. Thomasville's defense forced a punt on the ensuing possession. On the first play Overstreet and Jackson connected again, this time the scoring play covered 60-yards and the drive lasted just the one play. The kick failed, but Thomasville drew within a point 14-13 with just over a minute left in the half. In the third quarter Thomasville buried Miller deep in their own territory and forced a punt. Following the kick Thomasville had the ball at the 33-yard line. They drove down to the 5-yard line before the drive stalled. From there Aguiar came on and kicked a 22-yard field goal to give Thomasville a 16-14 lead with 5:07 left in the period. After trading several possessions, Thomasville got the ball near midfield. Behind the running of Roya Campbell and Overstreet they moved to paydirt. Overtsreet called his own number to score on a 10-yard keeper. Aguiar kicked the PAT and with 6:11 left to play Thomasville had a 23-14 lead. On the ensuing Miller possession they threw the ball on every play and scored on a 16-yard pass. The kick was good, cutting the lead to 23-21 with 3:00 left in the game. Miller was able to execute a perfect on-side kick attempt and got the ball at the Thomasville 35-yard line. Two plays later they scored on a 35-yard pass. The kick gave Miller a 28-23 lead with 2:42 left in the game. Thomasville was not able to get out of the shadow of their goal posts before turning the ball over. Miller then ran out the clock to preserve the 28-23 win. Campbell led the Thomasville offense with 82 yards on 13 carries. Following him was Overstreet with 65 yards and a touchdown on seven carries and Delvonte Harris with 61 yards on 10 carries. In the air Overstreet was 4-for-13 for 143 yards and two touchdowns. Jackson led the Thomasville receivers with three catches for 120 yards and two touchdowns while Harris had one catch for 23 yards. Over on defense Alex Buford and Jarrell Watters led the team with 10 tackles each followed by Mitchell Cowan and Katrell Watters with nine a piece. This Friday the Tigers (5-1, 3-1) have their hands full when Escambia County (4-2, 3-1) comes calling. Game time is 7 p.m.
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