The start of the 2024 season was uncharacteristic for Thomson as it dropped its first two games.
But the Bulldogs have been back to themselves lately, and definitely looked the part of a champion caliber program, winning their fifth consecutive game Friday, knocking off Region 4-AA foe Laney, 38-12.
The two teams came into Friday’s game knowing they were likely in for a tough, physical battle, as both offenses were run heavy, leading to both teams’ defensive units stacking the boxes and getting after it.
“It takes a lot of heart to throw yourself into a pile for 48 minutes,” and Thomson head coach Michael Youngblood who was as pleased as possible after his team “answered the bell” Friday night.
Balanced Thomson offense prevails
As mentioned, the Bulldog offense does depend on the run game, but it was the passing game of quarterback Markevion Jones that found the end zone three of four times Friday night.
These were not short gains, either, as the touchdowns came on 25, 36, and 44-yard plays.
The most impressive was the 36-yarder, as the Bulldogs dialed up a hailmary and Jones found recent Westlake transfer Kennedi Bailey, who went over the defenders to help distance Thomson from Laney at halftime, 21-6.
“We work on that every week,” Youngblood said. “We have a trey set, and Bailey went up and made a heck of a catch. So, we work that every week just for that situation.”
As good of an addition as Bailey has been, perhaps biggest difference between this team and the one we saw earlier in the season is the presence of running back Anthony Jeffery, who didn’t play the first three weeks due to injury, but is back in full swing.
The 3-star Kent State commit had several big runs tonight and found the end zone once as well. Thomson’s head man had high praise for the running back.
“He keeps us going offensively and it gives the defense a chance to rest, and we’re able to be better on the opposite side,” Youngblood said.
The defensive side of the ball has been lights out as of late, allowing a mere nine points per game during the Bulldogs’ winning streak. On top of not allowing points, the defensive unit is also scoring them.
They intercepted another pass and returned it for a touchdown Friday night by — stop me if you’ve heard this name before — Jaris Sinkfield, Thomson’s jack-of-all-trades athlete.
No looking ahead
This became the 20th win in the series history against Laney for Thomson. The Bulldogs have won all but one meeting, the only loss coming all the way back in 1987.
The win also puts Youngblood’s crew in sole control of its own destiny with a trip to winless Josey (0-7, 0-2) and a home game with a solid Butler (4-3, 2-1) squad, before the anticipated showdown with Burke County (6-1, 2-0) on Friday Nov. 8 which may become the de-facto region championship game.
But you won’t catch coach Youngblood looking ahead to any of those matchups yet. In fact, according to his final Friday night comments, he hasn’t even thought about that game, nor the one against Butler yet.
“We’re focused on Josey,” he said.
