Canes expecting a ‘slobberknocker’

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October 31, 2012

Canes expecting a ‘slobberknocker’

Becky Taylor CNHI The Tifton Gazette Wed Oct 31, 2012, 09:20 PM EDT

TIFTON — With one blow of the whistle last week, the Fitzgerald Purple Hurricanes wrapped up their 13th consecutive postseason appearance and home field advantage for the first round of the state tournament. The Canes slid by the Early County Bobcats, 17-14, improving their season record to 7-2 overall and 4-1 in Region 1-AA. This week’s game sees the Thomasville Bulldogs coming to town to try to improve their state chances.

First year head coach Jason Strickland was elated to have qualified to see his squad make it again.

“You feel like you’ve done something pretty good.”

It took a bit of luck last week against Early to clinch state. The teams were tied at the half, 7-7. Fitzgerald was able to eke out a lead on a Romarius Gaulden midway through the third quarter, but saw it evaporate when the Bobcats tied it again. Finally, Manuel Sanchez broke the tie with a 40-yard field goal with three minutes to go, but the Canes were not able to rest easy until Early missed a field goal as time expired.

“We were fortunate to make our field goal and for them to miss theirs,” he said.

With one game to go and a two-game advantage over Cook and Early, who are currently tied for third and fourth, the Canes can take it a bit easier against the Bulldogs. But Strickland does not see that happening.

“It’ll be another slobberknocker,” he said.

Thomasville, currently sitting at 2-6, is suffering through what looks to be their worst season since 1995, when they finished 3-7. However, they are still eligible for the postseason.

If the Bulldogs can pull the upset this Friday and get losses from both Cook and Early County, all they have to do is beat Pelham next week to slip in as the fourth seed. Cook is hosting Berrien and Early meets Pelham.

Though some situations are more complicated that rocket science, all teams in 1-AA are still eligible for the playoffs. Even Pelham, who has yet to win a region game this year, can still make it.

When told that the last two spots were still up for grabs for everyone, Strickland was amused.

“It makes for a fun Friday night, but also a stressful one,” he said.

While the Bulldogs are four games under .500, he is still impressed with their season.

“They’ve played maybe the toughest schedule in AA football.”

Indeed, the Bulldogs have played top schools. Their first two games were against Thomas County Central and Cairo, two larger classification schools with an 8-1 and a 6-2 record, respectively. After defeating Stewart County for their first win of the season, they played the Westminster Schools in Atlanta. That is in addition to their regular Region 1-AA schedule.

“Everyone they’ve played, they’ve played doggone tough,” Strickland said.

While merely 1-3 in the region, the Dogs have held everyone close. None of their games have been decided by more than two touchdowns and in their win against Berrien, they were aided by an explosive second half to break open what had been a 7-7 game.

The Thomasville contest will double as senior night for Fitzgerald

“We’ve got a great group of seniors we’re going to honor Friday night,” he said.

After this week, the Canes finally get a rest after 10 consecutive games. Their next real action will the first round of the state playoffs.

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