THOMSON — The Thomson Bulldogs defeated the Laney Wildcats 38-12 on Friday, Oct. 18, extending their winning streak to five games after dropping their first two of the season.
On what seemed like the first chilly Friday night at The Brickyard, Thomson capitalized on explosive plays while their defense held firm in key moments.
This matchup was originally scheduled for Sept. 27 but was postponed due to Hurricane Helene.
“We practiced for Laney for two weeks before Helene because we had a bye week,” Thomson head coach Michael Youngblood said. “We got a little stagnant towards the end of that week, but we straightened things out.”
Thomson set the tone from the opening kickoff as Anthony Jeffery returned it to Laney’s 25-yard line. Jeffery capped the drive with a 1-yard touchdown run, giving the Bulldogs an early 7-0 lead.
Laney responded with a drive of their own, capped by James Pride’s 15-yard rushing touchdown. However, a failed two-point conversion left the Wildcats trailing 7-6.
The game remained tight until early in the second quarter, when Thomson quarterback Markevion Jones connected with Jaden Ivey on a 25-yard touchdown pass, extending the lead to 14-6.
Laney had a chance to seize momentum after Reggie Makerson returned the ensuing kickoff to Thomson’s 4-yard line. However, the Bulldogs’ defense stood strong, forcing a turnover on downs after the Wildcats faced a 4th-and-29.
As time ran out in the second quarter, Jones launched a deep pass to Kennedi Bailey, who made a leaping catch over multiple Laney defenders for a 36-yard touchdown, sending Thomson into halftime with a 21-6 lead.
“We work on the ‘Hail Mary’ situation every week,” Youngblood said. “Bailey went up and got it and made a heck of a catch.”
Laney started the second half with a 38-yard touchdown run by Matthew White, but another failed two-point conversion left them trailing 21-12.
Thomson responded with a methodical drive, capped by Samuel Amerson’s 36-yard field goal, extending the lead to 24-12.
Laney couldn’t penetrate Thomson’s defense, and as the third quarter wound down, Jones found Jaris Sinkfield for his third passing touchdown of the night, putting the Bulldogs up 31-12.
As tempers flared on Laney’s sideline, resulting in one coach being ejected from the press box, Laney continued to struggle offensively. Thomson regained possession at the Wildcats’ 40-yard line.
“We had to play assignment football,” Youngblood said. “We had some designed stuff on defense, and we executed most of it.”
Jones threw his first interception of the night while targeting a receiver in the end zone, with just over eight minutes left in the game. However, Sinkfield later intercepted Pride and returned it 30 yards for a touchdown, sealing Thomson’s 38-12 victory.
Thomson will face Josey on Oct. 25, as they look to extend their winning streak before taking on Butler and Burke County to close the regular season.
“We’re focused on one game at a time,” Youngblood said. “Right now, we want to enjoy this win and then get ready for Josey.”’
Jaxon Garner is a student at Augusta University.
