10-30-24 - TCHS Wins Over Hornets
10-30-24
Courtesy of TCHS
After a month-long hiatus due to Hurricane Helene, the Toombs County Bulldogs returned to action Friday night, defeating the Savannah Country Day Hornets 33-21 in Savannah. This was the first ever meeting between these two schools.
The Bulldogs wasted no time shaking off the rust, marching 56 yards on 7 plays during the opening drive, capped by a 12-yard touchdown pass from senior quarterback TJ Stanley to senior wide receiver LaGonza Heyward. Alex Otero added the extra point, giving Toombs County a quick 7-0 lead with 8:28 left in the first quarter.
Both teams exchanged punts over the next few drives, but Savannah Country Day found themselves in field goal range late in the first. The Bulldogs’ defense held strong, forcing a missed 37-yard field goal attempt, keeping the score at 7-0.
In the early second quarter, the Bulldogs continued their offensive momentum. Stanley scored on a 1-yard quarterback sneak, pushing the lead to 14-0 with 6:48 remaining in the half. Toombs County struck again with less than a minute before halftime, as Zaylan Davis powered through for a 4-yard touchdown run, extending the Bulldogs’ advantage to 21-0. However, Savannah Country Day answered with a 45yard pass completion, setting up a 7-yard touchdown pass just as the half ended, trimming Toombs’ lead to 21-7 at the break.
Savannah Country Day opened the second half with a promising drive into Bulldog territory. After a controversial pass interference call on 4th and 6, the Hornets gained a fresh set of downs, but the Red Bullet defense held firm. Deon Moore delivered a critical blocked field goal, giving Toombs County the ball with 6:11 left in the third quarter.
The Bulldogs responded with a long 80yard drive over 12 plays, culminating in a 4-yard touchdown run by senior running back Dabyn Wadley, pushing the lead to 27-7 as the third quarter ended. Savannah Country Day capitalized on penalties to score again, this time on a 14yard pass early in the fourth quarter, cutting the lead to 27-14.
Wadley took control on the Bulldogs’ next possession, rushing for 59 yards on three carries, including a 1-yard touchdown to extend the lead to 33-14. Savannah Country Day managed to return the ensuing kickoff 80 yards for a touchdown, narrowing the score to 33-21 with 6:28 left in the game.
However, Toombs County controlled the clock for the remainder of the contest, driving deep into Hornet territory before sealing the win in victory formation, 33- 21.
Wadley led the Bulldogs’ offense with 24 carries for 194 yards and 2 touchdowns. Heyward hauled in 8 catches for 82 yards and a touchdown, while Stanley finished 13-for-18 for 122 yards and a touchdown.
The Bulldogs improved to 6-0 on the season and 1-0 in Region play. Up next is a highly anticipated matchup against their rival the Vidalia Indians on Friday night in The Pit at 7:30 p. m.
