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Sports October 4, 2007
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THS blows out Choctaw
By Charlie Anderson Contributing Writer

PHOTO BY ARTHUR MCLEAN Alex Buford runs for a touchdown against Choctaw County Friday night in Butler.
The Thomasville Tigers ventured over to Butler this past Friday, September 28 and defeated the Choctaw County Tigers 63 - 0 in a non region game for both schools. In posting the lopsided victory Thomasville racked up 17 first downs and 403 yards of offense while holding their opponent to only 2 first downs and -37 yards of offense.

In the game, Thomasville scored on eight of their nine possessions and had a punt return for a touchdown as well. The one time they failed to convert a possession into points they fumbled going in at the Choctaw County nine yard line. "I was proud of the way we came out and took care of business from the start," Thomasville Coach Jack Hankins said. "We took charge of the line of scrimmage on both sides of the ball and put them away like we should have. Our offense executed well and our defense absolutely shut them down."

With the win Thomasville improves to 4 - 1 on the season and 3 - 0 in region play while Choctaw County falls 0 - 5 overall and 0 - 3 in region play.

PHOTO BY ARTHUR MCLEAN A host of Tiger tacklers including Roya Campbell and Mitchell Cowan sack the Choctaw County quarterback.
Because Thomasville was able to substitute early in the game 10 different running backs had carries in the game and four different quarterbacks took snaps. Leading the Thomasville rushing attack was a pair of freshmen, Charles Taylor with 78 yards and one touchdown on seven carries and Michael Thornton with 71 yards and two touchdowns on seven carries. Following them were: James White with 41 yards and one touchdown on one carry; Delvonte Harris with 37 yards and one touchdown on one carry and James Jones with 32 yards and one touchdown on five carries.

In the air Daniel Rogers was 2 for 3 for 36 yards and one touchdown while Sean Skelton was 1 for 1 for 12 yards, Darius Bowen was 1 for 1 for eight yards and Rayshawn Cairl was 1 for 1 for four yards. In the receiving category Tysean Thompson had two catches for 36 yards and one touchdown, Kendarius Spears had two catches for 20 yards and Deon Johns had one catch for four yards.

PHOTO BY ARTHUR MCLEAN James White carries the ball for Thomasville against Choctaw County Friday night in Butler.
Over on defense the coaches did not single out any individual performances because there were so many who contributed to the effort but praised everybody who played a part in shutting down Choctaw County.

The game itself began with Choctaw County winning the opening toss and electing to receive. After the opening kickoff went out of bounds, Choctaw County found themselves with pretty good field position at their 35 yard line. At that point the Thomasville defense set the tone for the evening throwing the home standing Tigers for three consecutive losses setting up a fourth and 28 and a punting situation.

Following a short punt which was blown dead at the Choctaw County 37, the Tigers were in the endzone in one play as Delvonte Harris raced 37 yards to pay dirt. Harrison Lewis added the extra-point and Thomasville was on top 7 - 0 early in the first quarter.

After the ensuing kickoff which Choctaw County returned to their 18 yard line, the Thomasville defense continued their relentless play pushing their opponent backwards and forcing another punt. Just as it was the first time, the punt was short allowing Thomasville deep back Alex Buford to take it in on the run and weave his way 33 yards for Thomasville's second score. Lewis was on target with the extra-point and Thomasville led 14 - 0 still in the first quarter.

Following another three and out series by the host Tigers, the Thomasville offense was in the end zone quickly again when Daniel Rogers hooked up with Tysean Thompson on a 25 yard scoring strike. Lewis split the uprights and Thomasville was on top 21 - 0 with time remaining on the clock in the first period.

With the Thomasville defense continuing to stymie the Choctaw County offense on every series, the Thomasville offense added three more touchdowns in the second quarter as well. The first came early in the second stanza when Roya Campbell rumbled in from 14 yards out. Lewis nailed his fourth extra-point and the Thomasville lead stood at 28 - 0.

James White got in on the act next, galloping 41 yards for the next touchdown by the maroon and gray clad warriors. Lewis was on the mark once again and the Thomasville lead was 35 - 0 midway the second period.

Having begun to substitute frequently at that point, the Thomasville offense comprised of many second teamers, punched one more in before halftime when James Jones barreled in from five yards out. Lewis tacked on the extra-point and Thomasville took a 42 - 0 lead with them to the locker room.

The third quarter proved to be pretty much like the first two in that the Thomasville defense just wouldn't budge and the offense continued to add points. With all the starters out it was the second, third and even the fourth team units doing the damage.

Freshman Charles Taylor was first to add to the Thomasville lead rambling 35 yards for a touchdown on Thomasville's first possession of the second half. Lewis drilled another extra-point and the lead had been extended to 48 - 0 early in the third quarter.

Another freshman, Michael Thornton proved he could measure up to the test too, scrambling 46 yards for a touchdown. Lewis stayed on track knocking the extra-point through to bring the Thomasville lead to 56 - 0 as the third quarter clock ran down.

As the game moved into the final period the Thomasville offense was poised to score again but a fumble at the Choctaw County nine yard line ended the threat. The boys from north Clarke County did put one more on the board before the game came to a close when Michael Thornton scored his second touchdown of the night darting in from eight yards out. Lewis finished a perfect 9 for 9 on extra-points making the final score 63 - 0.

Coming up this week Thomasville will hit the road again to take on another set of Tigers. This time the trip will take them to Brewton to face the always tough T. R. Miller Tigers who will enter the game 3 - 2 overall and 2 - 1 in the region. The boys from Brewton have been a nemesis for Thomasville in the past currently holding an 11 - 2 advantage in games played between the two schools. "We have a great challenge facing us this week," Coach Jack Hankins said. "Any time you play a team with the tradition of a T. R. Miller you know you will be in for a real battle. They are well coached as usual and will be sound on both sides of the ball. We will certainly need to stay focused and play well against them."

The game between Thomasville and T. R. Miller is scheduled for this Friday, October 5, in Brewton with kick off set for 7:00 PM.
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