By Charles Curcio, Sports Editor
Sunday, September 14, 2008 — Friday night’s gridiron matchup between #3 Thomasville and #4 Albemarle hinged on several big plays as Thomasville took an early lead and went on to a 34-20 win.
Brian Polk had a strong night for Albemarle (2-1), throwing for 145 yards and three touchdowns. Jamar Corpening led the ground attack for the Blue Dogs with 153 yards on 20 carries.
Jonathan Hinson led Thomasville (4-0) with 176 rushing yards and three touchdowns. Red Dog quarterback Chris Brooks was 6-of-8 for 116 yards and two touchdowns, both to D.J. McLendon.
“We put ourselves behind the eight-ball early,” Albemarle head coach Baxter Morris said. “Repeatedly, we did not rise to the occasion, and defensively, did not play as well as we are capable of playing. Offense was not as big a problem. We threw the ball better then we ever have.”
Albemarle would rack up 364 yards of offense, with 237 total rushing yards. Thomasville would get 330 total yards of their own.
Just over two minutes into the game, Thomasville scored on their very first offensive play when Hinson went 43 yards for the score.
Thomasville would score on a 10-play, 76-yard to make it 20-7 before Albemarle got on the scoreboard.
The home-standing Bulldogs went 80 yards in just six plays, highlighted by a spectacular 38-yard reception by Tanarius Blackmon down to the Thomasville 14.
Three plays later, Brian Polk threw a fade route into the right corner of the endzone high enough that only the 6’6” frame of Denico Autry could come down with it for the score.
Albemarle Tight end Alex Robichaud would get behind the defense on a fly pattern and haul in a touchdown pass late in the third.
Blackmon then grabbed a touchdown pass on the final play of the game.
TH 14 13 0 7 34
ALB 0 7 7 6 20
T - Hinson 43 run (Hodges kick), 9:23, 1st.
T - McLendon 29 pass from Brooks (Hodges kick), 1:56, 1st.
T - Hinson 4 run (Hodges kick), 8:29, 2nd.
A - Autry 7 pass from Polk (McConologue kick), 5:32, 2nd.
T - McLendon 56 pass from Brooks (Hodges kick), 1:21, 2nd.
A - Robichaud 47 pass from Polk (McConologue kick), :36, 3rd.
T - Hinson 1 run (Hodges kick), 1:18, 4th.
A - Tanarius Blackmon 5 pass from Polk (no PAT), 0:00, 4th.
Charles Curcio can be reached at (704) 982-2121, ext. 12, or at charles@stanlynewspress.com.
