2016 will be a vital year in the development of Thomasville High School football, as first-year head coach Zach Grage will take the program reins after a dismal 1-9 record last season.
“We try not to talk about last season much, but it does help to motivate this year’s team to not go 1-9 again,” Grage said of his team’s approach to a new season. “We have tried to focus our preparation on handling the small things, doing things the right way, and letting the W’s and L’s take care of themselves.”
The Bulldogs should see some improvement simply from the fact that the team will return 12 total starters, including WR/RB Tori Sapp, who posted 834 rushing yards in 2015 to go along with his team-leading six touchdowns.
Grage has been trusted to turn around a program with history and tradition, and it seems like the ‘Dogs first-year head coach is on his way to doing just that.
“Last year, we gave up more points than any other team in school history, and also took a couple games to score a point on offense,” Grage said. “While learning new schemes on all 3 sides of the ball (special teams included), we are just trying to focus on doing things the right way within the program. We also are trying to keep that even keel…do not let success go to our heads, and do not let the tough times get us too far down.”
It is that steady approach that should allow Thomasville to get headed in the right direction. The turnaround certainly will not occur overnight, but Grage and the ‘Dogs are convinced that it will happen soon.
Much like Thomas County Central, Thomasville is amped to meet its long-time rival on the gridiron again this season. “Of course, every game counts the same as far as your final record, but I’d be chastised if I did not mention the importance of our home opener on August 26th vs Thomas County Central. There is nothing like a south GA rivalry, and we are very excited to get this one back on the schedule,” Grage concluded. “I expect us to play hard and bring the pride back to the Diamond T.”
Thomasville Bulldogs
Grage Leads ‘Dogs Into New Era
Written by Jacob Dennis
Photo by Hubby Brooks
