Last season, the Thomasville Bulldogs finished 12-1 and enjoyed one of the best seasons in a program history that dates back to at least 1914.
Not only did they win 12 straight games and notch the program's 700th win, they set school records for most points scored (522), passing yards in a season (J.T. Rice, 2,665), passing touchdowns in a regular season (Rice, 19), passing yards in a game (Rice, 428), longest touchdown reception (Rice to Kevon Shy, 91 yards) and longest field goal (57 yards, Carl Blackmore).
But Rice, Shy and Blackmore — along with 17 other seniors from 2017 — are gone. Fifteen of those seniors played crucial roles in the Bulldogs’ success. But the plan for the Bulldogs is to keep the momentum moving forward and that starts with their spring practices, which began April 25 and will run through next Friday, culminating with a scrimmage against Bainbridge on May 11.
“Our expectation is to win a state title,” third-year coach Zach Grage said. “Everyone knows the expectations and they’re familiar with our system, so there’s no surprises. We’re just building off of last year and trying to fine tune. Everyone is ready to go.”
With Rice moving on, Grage said the quarterback position is open to several players. Jay Tillman was the backup last year but at 6-foot-3, 180 pounds, Grage likes him as a receiver. Incoming freshman Chad Mascoe, rising sophomore Patrick McNeil and rising junior Maylon Cochran are considered the top three candidates.
“Those three will battle it out,” Grage said. “Jay can step in and scratch where it itches, but it’s best for the Bulldogs to have him at receiver. But if the quarterbacks can’t get it done, that doesn’t make sense.”
The void left by Blackmore, who’s at Florida State hoping to earn a spot on the team as a walk-on, is also up for grabs.
Potential breakout players are lineman Marc Davis and receiver Karey Lee on offense and linebacker Jayshawn Thornton on defense.
“Jayshawn should come out of his shell this year,” Grage said. “He’s had a really good offseason and I’m expecting him to blow up. He has the physical tools and now he’s a leader. As he goes, we will go.”
Another player Grage is excited about is Payton Singletary. He played at defensive end last season as a freshman but will move to the other side of the ball and play tight end.
Kevin Cochran, who caught 52 passes for 1000 yards and nine touchdowns, returns as a junior and Tan Gillen will be the Bulldogs’ workhorse at running back after spending last season in a timeshare. Grage used a healthy rotation of lineman on both sides of the ball and overall, he sees both units as a strength.
While question marks at key positions need answering, Grage believes the Bulldogs have the talent to build off last year instead of taking a step back.
“Losing 20 seniors would be crippling for most AA programs,” he said. “But this year we have 24 seniors, so it’s on our coaches to work the freshman as much as the seniors and get a lot of kids playing time.”
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