THOMASVILLE — The bye week came at the perfect time for the Thomasville Bulldogs.

Some might argue the bye interrupted the team’s five-game Region 1-AA winning streak. It did, however, provide the Bulldogs an opportunity to make improvements as they prepare for their biggest game of the year, Friday night against Fitzgerald.

“We were able to work on some of the things we were having trouble getting to where we wanted it to be,” Thomasville coach Richie Marsh said. “We were able to work on some things we needed to work on to try to become a better football team.”

Among the specific areas the Bulldogs focused on was defending the pass, improving on special teams and on third-and-long situations.

Marsh and his coaching staff also got a firsthand look at the Purple Hurricanes in their 24-21 win at Early County.

“They look good, too,” Marsh said. “Both of them looked good. Early looked a lot better than I thought they’d look. I kind of expected Fitzgerald to look that way, but Early’s quarterback (Michael Perry) is much improved.”

Before last week, the three teams were the only undefeated squads left in the region.

With the Purple Hurricanes and the Bulldogs left alone atop the region at 5-0, Friday night’s game is even more critical. A Fitzgerald victory and the Purple Hurricanes are almost guaranteed repeating as region champs.

“I’m sure they’re thinking for them, it’s their region championship game,” Marsh said, adding that does not put any more pressure on his team.

“The way the region is now, you must take it one game at a time.”

The pressure on Thomasville will be applied by Fitzgerald’s rushing attack. Against an experienced Bobcats defense, the Purple Hurricanes rushed for 211 yards.

What worries Marsh, though, is the 70 yards Fitzgerald got through the air, 42 of which came on a long touchdown completion.

“Their running game is very disciplined,” Marsh said.

“Now, they’re throwing the ball more than they’ve ever had, since I’ve known (coach Robby Pruitt) and I’ve known him for a long time.

“They’re completing those passes and they’re usually behind the DBs.”