THOMASVILLE — Thomasville’s backs were against the wall on defense Friday night.

Three second-half fumbles by the Bulldogs offense left Fitzgerald ample opportunity to bridge a two-touchdown deficit.

The Bulldogs’ defense stiffened, however, preserving a 28-14 win.

“We got beat up front,” Fitzgerald coach Robby Pruitt said. “We couldn’t stop them very well and we couldn’t move it very well. They’re definitely the better team.”

With the Bulldogs clinging to a two-touchdown lead, the Purple Hurricane forced a fumble at the Thomasville 30. The Purple Hurricane couldn’t muster a first down, however, throwing an incompletion on fourth down.

On Thomasville’s next possession, the Bulldogs moved the ball to the Purple Hurricane 33 before fumbling on first down. Again, the Bulldogs’ defense kept the Purple Hurricane out of the end zone, forcing a short completion on a fourth-and-12 in Bulldog territory. Thomasville was aided by a great push up front from Quintez Hayes, as he burst through the line on third down to stuff running back Nick Williams at the line.

“Quintez has been working real hard,” Thomasville defensive coordinator Lamar Landing said. “Their offense was very tough.

“He really worked real hard and came hard tonight, and I’m real proud of him.”

Hayes also recorded a quarterback pressure in the first quarter on a key fourth down that resulted in an incompletion, when Fitzgerald was driving for the game’s first score. He and linebacker Willie Bradshaw teamed on a key sack on the Purple Hurricane’s first drive of the third quarter.

“Willie Bradshaw coming off the outside — he just puts a lot of pressure on you,” Landing added. “The backs, when they didn’t pick him up, he made them pay.”

Thomasville’s defense also perservered after being on the field the majority of the second half.

“When you run the option, you’ve just got to expect that’s going to happen,” Bulldogs defensive ends coach Tommy Taylor added. “Whether we’re defending it from the six-inch line going out or the six-inch line going in, that’s our job as a defensive coaches and defensive players and we understand that.”

Friday’s win has the Bulldogs on the verge of winning their first region title in three years. It can claim the Region 1-AA championship with a win next Friday at Randolph-Clay and if Early County loses to Albany.

“It puts us in a driver’s seat capacity, where, if we can win out, we’ll win another region here, and that’s been our goal since coach (Richie) Marsh has got here,” Taylor added.