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SWHS knocks off THS
The Bulldogs made the most of seven Thomasville turnovers to win 27-13 on a rainy night last Thursday at Nolan Atkins Stadium-Victory Field. "We knew we were going to put the ball in the hands of Anthony (Landrum) and Drew (Luker) and see what would happen," Coach Stacy Luker said following his top-ranked 1A team's win over the number two ranked team in Class 4A. "It worked out pretty well for us." The two teams traded fumbles in the first quarter with neither being able to capitalize with points on the scoreboard. In the second frame the Thomasville defense forced a Bulldog punt and following the short kick the Tigers set up shop near mid-field. It took just four plays to hit pay dirt as new quarterback Daniel Rodgers hit Tysean Thompson on a 13-yard fade pass for the touchdown. A key play in the scoring drive was a 27-yard dash by fullback Roya Campbell.
The Thomasville defense again stepped up their play and forced a punt. The Tiger offense took the ball and was pounding their way down the field when a fumble killed the march at the Bulldog 13-yard line. Despite a 31-yard run from Drew Luker on the ensuing drive, Sweet Water again was forced to punt. Thomasville's return man muffed the kick and the Bulldogs had the ball at the Tiger 20-yard line. Two plays later Thomasville's Courtney Campbell intercepted Luker's pass in the endzone and returned it to the Tiger 14-yard line. Again the fumble bug bit Thomasville as they coughed the ball up on the first snap, giving it back to Sweet Water at the 15- yard line. Luker ended the short drive as he raced around the left side and broke three tackles en rout to a 14-yard score. Scottie Nelson kicked the PAT and the Bulldogs had a 7-6 lead with :57 to go before halftime. Thomasville put the ball on the ground one more time before the break, but Sweet Water was not able to produce anything and took the 7-6 lead into the locker room. Butch Williams took the opening kickoff of the third quarter and raced 69-yards to give Sweet Water the ball at the Thomasville 25-yard line. Four plays later the Bulldogs found the endzone in a bizarre way. Anthony Landrum dove to the goal line from 1-yard out when the ball squirted free. Lying flat on his back in the endzone, Scottie Nelson gathered in the loose pigskin for the touchdown. The kick failed and with 9:58 left in the third, Sweet Water had a 13-6 lead. The Thomasville offense was undaunted by the score and mounted a classic wing-T drive that covered 85-yards in 14 plays. Facing fourth and goal from a foot out, Roya Campbell dove in for the score. Lewis nailed the point-after touchdown and with 2:47 left in the period the score was tied 13-13. The Bulldogs, on the following possession started at their own 33-yard line and drove to the Thomasville 5-yard line. On the second play of the fourth quarter Drew Luker called his own number on the option play to score and give Sweet Water the lead again. Nelson's kick was true and the Bulldogs had a 20-13 lead 11:37 left in the game. Thomasville drove down to the Bulldog 29-yard line before turning the ball over on downs. Sweet Water took the ball and drove to the Tiger 1-yard line before turning the ball over on downs themselves. Thomasville was able to advance out to the 13-yard line before a penalty backed them up to the 8-yard line. On the next play Sweet Water's Nakia Dennis sacked QB Daniel Rodgers in the endzone. The ball came free on the tackle and Tyrice Lockett fell on the ball for the game's final score. Nelson added the kick and Sweet Water had a 27-13 lead with 2:25 to play in the game. One last ditch effort from Thomasville came up short when Antonio Landrum intercepted the ball at the Sweet Water 22-yard line. The Bulldogs then ran out the clock to preserve the 27-13 win. Landrum paced all rushers as he gained 133 yards on 23 carries. Luker added 75 yards on 14 carries and two scores. Luker was also 4-of-8 passing for 35 yards. Rodgers led the Thomasville offense as he was 13-of-20 passing for 151 yards and a TD. Roya Campbell led the Tiger rushers with 88 yards on 16 carries and a score. James White added 62 yards on five carries. Thomasville (0-1) looks to regroup this week as they host Hillcrest-Evergreen. Sweet Water takes to the road to face Akron in a big region game.
Both games start at 7 p.m.
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