THOMASVILLE — Tonight’s trip to Hamilton and Harris County likely will determine if there is any road for the Thomas County Central Yellow Jackets to the Class AAAAA state football  playoffs.

Last Saturday’s loss to Warner Robins snapped the Yellow Jackets’ four-game winning streak. More importantly, it put Thomas County Central, now 5-2 overall, at 0-1 in the Region 1-AAAAA standings.

“It’s a big game,” said Yellow Jackets coach Ashley Henderson. 

It’s also the longest road trip of the year, a three-and-a-half-hour bus ride. Henderson and his staff already have plotted the itinerary to include stops.

“It’s another unique challenge this region has,” Henderson said. “We have to travel well. That takes a level of maturity. We have to hydrate, no matter what. You can’t just get on the bus and sleep.”

Awaiting the Yellow Jackets when they get off the buses is a Harris County team that is 2-6 overall and 0-2 in the region. After posting double-dight margin wins over Northside-Columbus and Russell County (Alabama), the Tigers dropped their first two region contests, losing 41-0 to Warner Robins and 30-6 to Veterans.

But Henderson remains wary of the Tigers.

“They are very athletic,” he said. “They’ve got some guys who can stroll.”

Quarterback Tailique Williams has done a little bit of everything for the Tigers. He has more than 500 yards rushing, has thrown for more than 400 yards and he has 126 yards receiving.

“Any time you have a guy who can run it and throw it, that’s tough to deal with,” Henderson said. “We have to do a good job containing him and keeping him in the pocket.”

Hurricane Michael jumbled the schedule, leading the game with Warner Robins to be pushed to be pushed to Saturday from Friday. it gave the Yellow Jackets one less day of rest going into the week.

“We’re back in a routine now,” Henderson said. “We’re back on schedule.”

Tonight’s game also could impact the Yellow Jackets’ aims of returning to the state playoffs. 

“We talk about expecting to win. Our kids talk about it,” Henderson said. “But you have to actually do that. That’s the turning point we have to get to.

“We have to keep chopping,” he continued. “We have a good football team. We just need more reps and confidence and confidence comes with more reps.”

Editor Pat Donahue can be reached at (229) 226-2400 ext. 1806.