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Tigers kick Falcons out of playoffs
Thomasville kicker Henrique Aguiar drilled an extra-point in overtime to give the Tigers a 33 - 32 win over the visiting Central of Tuscaloosa Falcons this past Friday, November 10. The kick came after Delvonte Harris had scored for the Tigers from 10 yards out to tie the game at 32-32 in the overtime period. As the signal was given indicating the kick was good the playing surface at Anderson Field was flooded by players from the sideline and fans wanting to congratulate Aguiar and the rest of the Tigers on the exciting win. Also in the mix was an excited bunch of Tiger coaches. "Its great to win anytime," Tiger Head Coach Jack Hankins said. "But it is even more special when it is in the playoffs against a good team like Central. I am very proud of the effort our guys gave all night and their determination to win despite the injuries and other set backs that happened along the way."
From their the Tigers launched an 81 yard drive that produced the first points of the game when Delvonte Harris rambled 32 yards for a touchdown with 1:55 to play in the first quarter. After a celebration penalty the Tiger's extra-point attempt by Aguiar was blocked leaving the Tigers on top 6-0. Tiger defensive back Alex Buford halted the next offensive possession of the Falcons picking off a pass at the Thomasville 22 with :06 left in the first quarter. It was the Tigers who struck first in the second quarter as well driving 58 yards to pay dirt. Jake Overstreet culminated the drive scampering in from 18 yards out with 3:44 remaining in the period. The two-point conversion attempt failed leaving the Tigers with a12-O lead.
Thomasville got the ball first in the second half but was unable to move the ball against the stiffening Falcon defense punting it to the Central 31 on fourth down. Opportunity knocked for the Tigers during Central's next offensive series when Jake Overstreet intercepted a pass with 9:52 showing on the third quarter clock and returned it to the Falcon 22 yard line. Unfortunately the Tigers were unable to cash it in turning it over on four downs at the 25. Now with momentum the Falcons put together a 75-yard drive that ended in a one yard touchdown run with 3:36 to play in the third quarter. The two-point conversion attempt failed again but the Falcons had knotted the score at 12-12.
The Thomasville lead was short lived with the explosive Falcon offense scoring with :16 remaining in the third period. The two-point conversion was no good leaving the game tied at 18-18. Central took the lead next with 7:30 to play in the fourth quarter blasting in from four yards out. This time the run for the two-point conversion was good putting the Falcons on top at 26-18. Down but not out, the never say die Tigers fought their way back again driving 65 yards with their next offensive possession. Jake Overstreet culminated the drive barreling in from one yard out to draw the Tigers to within two. Overstreet then connected with Andrew Parten on the two-point conversion and the score was tied 26-26 with 3:13 to play in the game. After holding Central to three and out on their next series the Tigers got the ball back with 1:00 to play and almost won the game in regulation when a pass into the end zone glanced off the hands of a Tiger receiver as the game ended. At that point with the score deadlocked the game moved into overtime. Thomasville won the coin toss to begin the period and elected to play defense first giving Central the ball. The Falcons wasted little time, scoring on first down on a 10-yard pass play. Their two-point conversion pass attempt failed leaving them on top 32-26. The Tigers then moved on offense where they scored on first down as well when Harris, who broke a tackle at the goal line, bulled in from 10 yards out. The touchdown tied the game at 32-32 and set the stage for Aguiar's extra-point that proved to be the margin of victory. On offense Thomasville was led in rushing by Delvonte Harris with 138 yards and two touchdowns on 22 carries. Following him were: Jake Overstreet with 32 yards and two touchdowns on seven carries; James White with 33 yards on six carries and Alex Buford with 21 yards on six carries. In the air Jake Overstreet was 7 for 16 for 95 yards and one touchdown, Delvonte Harris led the Tiger receivers with 3 catches for 71 yards while Shed Simmons had four catches for 24 yards and a touchdown. On defense the Tigers were led by Katrell Watters with 13 tackles and Alex Buford with 10. Following them was Jake Overstreet with eight tackles while Jeremy Borden and Justin Smith had seven each and Jarrell Watters had six before getting injured. Buford and Overstreet each had an interception while Scipio Tolbert had the Tigers' lone sack. Looking ahead the Tigers, who will likely be without three starters this week, have little time to savor the win over the Falcons because looming on the horizon is a second round match-up with the Tigers of Cleburne County who were 34-6 winners over Daleville in their first round game last week. "I'm sure I don't have to tell anyone who saw the game last year how good Cleburne County is and what kind of fight we are in for." Coach Jack Hankins said. "Their team this year is well coached as usual and will very physical and sound in every phase of the game. We will have our hands full!" This year marks the third time the two teams have met in the playoffs in the past three years. Thomasville has won both of the first two with last years' being a 28-27 come from behind overtime win. The game is scheduled for a 7 p.m. kickoff on Friday, November 20, in Heflin.
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