Yellow Jackets roll to fourth straight win

Published 10:59 pm Friday, October 5, 2018

SYLVESTER, Ga. — Thomas County Central crashed Worth County’s homecoming party Friday night at Milt Miller Field in Worth County Stadium. The Yellow Jackets converted an onside kick to start the game, scored on their fourth offensive play and returned a punt block for a touchdown en route to a 47-0 victory.

Central improved to 5-1 heading into its Region 1-AAAAA opener next week at home against region favorite Warner Robins.

“It was fast and furious there early,” Central coach Ashley Henderson said. “We were clicking in all three phases. It was a very fast start, reminiscent of what we did with Brooks County. We had the pedal down the whole first quarter.”

Central scored 27 points in the opening period, highlighted by touchdown runs of 4 and 62 yards from senior Quay Edwards. The Yellow Jackets also forced a fumble on the Rams’ first play from scrimmage, as senior defensive end Cedric Robinson returned the turnover 8 yards for a touchdown.

Central added two more touchdowns in the second quarter. Quarterback Adam Tedder connected with Darius Spearman for a sensational 16-yard scoring strike that Spearman snagged off a deflection. Running back Dashon Lewis provided the final score of the half with a 9-yard plunge of the middle in the second quarter. Central finished with 241 offensive yards in the first half.

“We’ve got a good football team. We’ve got to play to our level, set the bar where we want it and strive to get there,” Henderson said. “When we take care of the football, we’re hard to deal with. If we can do that in the playoffs and play defense and play good special teams, we’re going to be pretty tough.”

A running clock in the second half limited Central’s productivity. Senior running back Imond Hobbs tallied the game’s only score in the second half with an 8-yard jaunt in the fourth quarter.

Central finished with 246 rushing yards, led by Edwards’ 118. Sophomore Dondell Green added 46 on the ground for the Yellow Jackets.

Tedder completed 8 of 14 passes for 109 yards and one touchdown.