THOMSON — Thomson High School football defeated Callaway 28-19 in the second round of the AA Georgia High School Football State Playoffs at the Brickyard on Friday, Nov. 21.
This win marks the Bulldogs seventh consecutive win after losing three tight games early in the season.
“We lost to a good North Augusta team, that I think is one of the best in the CSRA, but in my mind we were our own worst enemy in the beginning,” said Thomson Head Football Coach Michael Youngblood. “Once we learned how to put our selfish ways aside, now you’re seeing a product of that environment.”
Both defenses in Friday’s playoff matchup made big plays early causing offensive turnovers in the first quarter.
The Cavaliers scored first with a 3-yard rushing touchdown by quarterback Blake Herrington getting ahead 7-0.
Thomson did not answer until early in the second quarter after a rushing touchdown by Zay Brinson, tying the game 7-7.
The Bulldogs would get into scoring territory again on their following drive, but the Callaway defense forced a fumble and returned it for an 80-yard touchdown to give the Cavaliers the lead midway through the second quarter. Callaway’s kicker failed to convert the extra point, making the score 13-7.
Thomson senior Jaris Sinkfield helped the Bulldogs gain their first lead of the night with a 5-yard rushing touchdown, making the score 14-13 going into the second half.
The Thomson offense made another mistake early in the fourth quarter after quarterback Markevion Jones threw an interception to put Callaway in scoring position. Thomson’s defense capitalized on another turnover after the Cavaliers fumbled the ball and Brinson recovered and returned it for a touchdown.
With a 21-13 lead, Thomson’s defense recovered another Callaway fumble, and Sinkfield helped secure the Bulldogs victory with a 50-yard rushing touchdown.
Youngblood commented on the Bulldogs performance after the game.
“You can’t do that in playoff football, but we just came out and stayed the course, had faith and stuck to the gameplan,” Youngblood said. “The playoffs are about winning and surviving.”
Thomson will now return to the quarterfinals where the Bulldogs lost in high scoring affair to Burke County last season.
Thomson had won a state title after returning to the 2A class division in the 2022-23 season.
The Bulldogs will have a tough test to return to glory as they will face the reigning unbeaten champs Carver in Columbus, Georgia, on Friday, Nov. 28.
“If you want to be the man, you got to beat the man,” Youngblood said. “They are the defending state champs, and I know how that feels cause we did it with this group right here when they were freshman. We just got to go take care of business.”
Sportswriter Christopher Rickerson is an Augusta University graduate who has covered area sports for publications including Augusta University‘s Bell Ringer, The Augusta Press and Augusta Good News. Subscribe to the Augusta Good News’ free weekly newsletter here.
