We tell you everything you need to know about the 2022 Thomasville football team in this preview. We take a look at roster changes and what fans can expect from the team this season.
2021 Stats
- Overall Record: 13-2
- Points Scored: 457
- Points Against: 222
Key Losses
The Bulldogs will go into the 2022 season without several of the key pieces from last year’s 13-win team, as well as the head coach who led them there. Zach Grage accepted the head coaching job at Lowndes High School, but key assistant Jonathan DeLay has taken over, and will keep the Dogs on the winning path.
However, he’ll have to get there without some key players, including QB Shannen White, who is off to Georgia Military College. RB Malik Harper will attend and play for LaGrange College. He ended his Bulldog career with 2,274 yards rushing and 28 TDs on 471 carries. Joining Harper at LaGrange College is WR Jay Cody. Big OL Jacob Tyson graduates, leaving Thomasville with a big hole to fill on the offensive line. He played in 42 games as a Bulldog.
The defense also loses some serious talent, as LB Ty Anderson leaves for Gardner Webb. He ended his career with an outstanding 493 tackles and 26 sacks. Corner Joseph “Joe” Williams is at Kennesaw State, and he also had quite the career at Thomasville, racking up 158 tackles and seven interceptions. Fellow DB Jimmy Bowdry signed with UT-Chattanooga, and he too had seven INT while roaming the defensive backfield as a Dawg.
Tyrun’dai Hayes takes his talents to West Georgia, and his high school resume includes 231 tackles, with eight sacks, and 11 caused fumbles. He is credited with 34 tackles for loss. DT Marquis Alexander signed with Gordon State, and LB Luther Marable didn’t go too far, signing with Thomas University.
Who’s Back
All-Region OL/DL Hakeem Myrick will return to give Thomasville and new head coach DeLay some much needed experience and size up front on both sides of the ball. Returning junior wideout Cole Shaw will likely become a favorite target of whoever wins the starting QB job this offseason. He has 343 yards receiving and six TDs over the last two seasons as a freshman and sophomore, with the majority of his production coming last season.
Shaw will have fellow receiver DJ Thurman joining him as another receiving option, giving Thomasville a pretty good pass-catching duo this season. Thurman has 499 yards receiving with 49 catches and five TDs in his 28-gamecareer at Thomasville.
Senior safety Evan Wynn is back to give Thomasville experience and leadership in the defensive backfield, an area where they were hit hard by graduation. Wynn has 183 tackles with eight interceptions over his career so far with the Bulldogs. Returning at RB/OLB will be senior Jayden Alston, who has totaled 56 tackles including four sacks for Thomasville. He has snagged an interception and has caused two fumbles during his career with the red and gold.
What To Expect
With the recent round of realignment, Thomasville moves to 3A, joining the likes of Carver-Columbus, Crisp, and Dougherty in Region 1-3A. Coach DeLay says bring it on.
“We are excited to compete in a new strong region and look forward to a successful season that hopefully ends joyfully in Atlanta,” said the new Bulldogs head coach.
Regarding the abundance of talent that graduated, DeLay says that’s an opportunity for those among the returning group to step up: “I’m really excited to see who will emerge as our leaders with all of the great young men that we had graduate from last year’s team.”
There already are a few players making a name for themselves, according to the first-year head coach.
“I’ve already seen some of our players take on a new persona as these past few weeks have gone by,” said DeLay.
There’s no question the 2022 season will be a challenge for Thomasville, as fans will expect another run at a championship, just as the season they were treated to in 2021. The biggest question mark is at QB, where there remains no clear favorite emerging so far.
Prediction
Another good season for Thomasville in 2022: 8-4 overall record.
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