Thomson’s defense stopped Jackson County’s offense on the two-point conversion with no time remaining and held on to win the game 21-20 on Friday, Nov. 12, at the Brickyard.
This game was one of many in the first round of the AAA Georgia High School State Playoffs. What looked to be a Thomson blowout ended up being decided on the final play.
Thomson deferred on the kickoff, so Jackson would get the ball to start the game.
Neither team would score the first quarter as both teams punted several times and the game was tied 0-0.
Jackson would fumble early in the second quarter, giving Thomson the ball in scoring territory with 8:35 left in the half.
With under two minutes left, quarterback Taymarion Martin gave the Bulldogs their first score of the game on a short pass to wide receiver Ashton Perry. Connor Askew added the extra point to put Thomson ahead 7-0.
The Red Devils got the ball back but would fumble at their own 20-yard line, putting the Bulldogs in scoring territory with 1:36 remaining in the half.
Thomson took advantage and scored their second touchdown of the game before the half. Askew made the extra point to make the score 14-0 in favor of Thomson at the half.
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After the Bulldogs failed to score on their first drive in the third, Jackson would fumble again on their first offensive play of the half, but Thomson failed to score. The defense continued to lock up the Red Devil offense, adding an interception and another fumble in the third quarter.
The Bulldogs would go ahead 21-0 after Kindarius Green ran in a 15-yard touchdown late in the third quarter.
However, Jackson’s Okemus Grier Jr. took off for a 71-yard touchdown with 27 seconds remaining in the third to make the score 21-7. The Red Devils stuck to the run and continued to drive down field the rest of the game.
Jackson’s fullback Dawson Livingston ran in a seven-yard touchdown to bring the Red Devils to a seven point deficit, 21-14 with 5:34 remaining.
The Red Devils got the ball back with under four minutes remaining in the game with plenty of time to score. Penalties would put Jackson in scoring territory late in the game.
Grier ran in his second touchdown of the game with no time remaining on the clock and the Red Devils were down 21-20. Jackson decided to go for two after a offside penalty brought the Red Devils closer. Thomson’s defense stuffed the Grier Jr. on the two-point conversion and hung on to win 21-20.
The Bulldogs struggled to stop the run, giving up 237 yards on the ground. Thomson also racked up a total of 17 penalties in the game for 153 yards.
Thomson (10-0) will move on to the second round of the AAA GSHA Playoffs and will face Ringgold (10-1) next Friday, Nov. 19.
Chris Rickerson is a Sports Contributor for The Augusta Press. Reach him at CRICKERSON@augusta.edu.
