December 4, 2024 - TCHS Into State Semifinals
December 4, 2024
Courtesy of TCHS
The Toombs County High School Bulldogs football team overcame an early deficit to rout the Elbert County Blue Devils 56-17 in The Pit on Friday night during Round 3 of the GHSA State Playoffs. With the win, the Bulldogs advance to the semifinals for the first time in school history as Toombs County. Lyons High School won the Class B State Championship in 1975.
Elbert County, riding momentum from a resurgent season, won the coin toss and deferred, giving the Bulldogs the ball first. Both teams exchanged punts on their opening drives before a fumbled ball on Toombs County’s second possession set the Blue Devils up deep in Bulldog territory at the 25-yard line. However, the Red Bullet defense stood strong, holding Elbert County to a 22-yard field goal to take an early 3-0 lead.
Late in the first quarter, Senior Mike Polke sparked the Bulldogs with a clutch interception, returning the ball to the Elbert 29-yard line. Senior quarterback TJ Stanley capitalized on the turnover with three consecutive runs, scoring Toombs County’s first touchdown on a six-yard keeper. Alex Otero added the extra point, putting the Bulldogs ahead 7-3 with 1:48 remaining in the first quarter.
Elbert County opened the second quarter with a 15-yard quarterback draw for a touchdown, briefly regaining the lead at 10-7. However, Polke immediately responded with a thrilling 74-yard kickoff return to the Blue Devils’ 5-yard line. Stanley punched it in on a five-yard sneak, putting Toombs back on top, 14-10.
From that moment, the Bulldogs took complete control of the game. Polke continued his incredible night, scooping up a Blue Devil fumble and sprinting 40 yards for a defensive touchdown, extending the lead to 2110. Stanley then took over through the air, finding Junior wide receiver Gavin Fletcher for a 30yard touchdown and Senior wideout LaGonza Hayward for a 67-yard scoring strike, giving Toombs County a commanding 35-10 halftime advantage.
On the first play of the second half, Senior running back Dabyn Wadley exploded for a 65-yard touchdown run, pushing the Bulldogs’ lead to 4210. Stanley continued to dissect the Blue Devils’ defense, connecting with Hayward for two more touchdowns of 17 and 45 yards, making it 56-10 by the end of the third quarter. Elbert County added a late touchdown before the running clock was initiated in the fourth quarter.
The Bulldogs’ historic win marks the first time Toombs County has reached the GHSA semifinals. Additionally, Senior Dabyn Wadley became the first Bulldog to surpass 1,000 rushing yards in a season since Key shawn Morgan accomplished the feat in 2018. Senior QB TJ Stanley also surpassed the 2000 yard passing yard mark for the second year in a row and now has 2,163 passing yards and 27 TD passes on the season.
The #1 ranked Bulldogs (11-1) will travel to face #2 Dublin (13-0) on Friday night with a trip to the GHSA State Championship on the line. The game against the Fighting Irish will be in Dublin at the Shamrock Bowl at 7:30 p.m.
plaque honoring Sanders for her 20 years of service to the court as a clerk and 24 years of service to the court as a judge on behalf of the state Council of Probate Judges. The plaque commended Sanders for her dedication to the role, stating, "You exem plify the values of honesty, integrity, and commitment of the administration of justice for all.” Sanders will retire on December 30, 2024.
Photo by Makaylee Randolph
The Toombs County “Red Bullett” defense swarmed the Blue Devils of Elbert County all night on the way to the big Elite 8 victory.Photo by TCHS
A COMMITTED JUDGE – Montgomery County Probate Judge-Elect Stacie Randolph (left) presented Montgomery County Probate Judge Rubie Nell Sanders (right) with a
