Thomasville rolls over Demopolis in season opener
A.J. Jackson cuts to daylight during an early-game run Friday night. Jackson finished with 105 yards rushing on 22 carries.
THOMASVILLE – Demopolis struggled to get out of its own way Friday night as it turned the ball over four times in a 29-18 season-opening loss to Thomasville.
“We turned the ball over too much, countless mental mistakes, countless missed alignments. That starts with coaching and that starts with me. We’ve got to do a better job. I’m very disappointed, probably the most disappointed I’ve been in a long time as a head coach. I felt like we didn’t know how to play to our ability. That starts with me and ends with me. I’m going to take the blame for this one,” Demopolis coach Brian Seymore said. “We kind of looked like a deer in the headlights tonight. I apologize to the Demopolis faithful. That isn’t the way you want to start the season right there. It’s very disappointing for everybody, for me and our coaching staff. We’ll rebound for sure.”
Demopolis defenders D’arius Williams (26) and Aaron Collier (21) wrap up Thomasville’s Jalen Betts.
Thomasville wasted little time announcing its presence as Corrigan Thibodeaux went over the top to Bralen Washington for a touchdown on a 69-yard catch-and-run on the team’s first play from scrimmage. A William Vick extra point made it 7-0.
Thibodeaux found Washington again on the next drive for a 57-yard strike that set up a 19-yard touchdown pass to William Powell.
Demopolis scratched its way onto the board with 2:04 to play in the first quarter when A.J. Jackson punched it in from three yards out to punctuate a nine-play, 72-yard touchdown drive. Demopolis failed to score on the conversion run, leaving the score 14-6.
Antonio Besteder blasts through a sizable hole Friday night against Thomasville. Besteder accumulated 110 yards from scrimmage in the contest.
After the Thomasville defense recovered a fumble at the Demopolis five, Quez Ausbon scored from a yard out with 7:45 to play in the opening half. Deandre Jackson added the conversion run to put Thomasville up 22-6.
Demopolis had its best chance to get back in the game after stopping Thomasville on the opening possession of the second half. But a roughing-the-kicker penalty extended the drive and allowed Thibodeaux to punch it in from two yards out for the 29-6 lead.
Demopolis added touchdowns on Andrew Patterson passes of 28 yards to DeDe Davis and 21 yards to Tyler Jones. The visiting Tigers failed on the conversion attempts following both scores.
Despite recovering a fumble and an onside kick in Thomasville territory, Demopolis was able to draw no closer.
Thibodeaux finished the night with 18 of 29 for 283 yards and two touchdowns. Washington had two catches for 126 yards. Powell finished with six catches for 106 yards.
Davis paced Demopolis with 116 yards on nine catches. Jackson finished with 105 yards on 22 rushes. Antonio Besteder contributed 90 yards on 17 carries and had 110 yards from scrimmage on 20 touches.
Demopolis (0-1) hosts Greensboro next Friday while Thomasville (1-0) takes on Sweet Water.
Roderick Gaines sticks Thomasville’s Quez Ausbon on a tackle.