Motivation will be the fuel that lights Thomas County Central's fire tonight — and Bainbridge coach Ed Pilcher’s, for that matter.

Central’s motivation is to show last week's blowout loss was an aberration, that last week was not the real Yellow Jackets squad. There will be motivation to capture a first-round home playoff game, something the Yellow Jackets have experienced since 2004. And oh, there’s motivation to do well against Pilcher, their former coach.

The longtime Yellow Jackets coach returns to Thomas County Stadium in his first trip as Bainbridge's coach. No matter what Central's coaching staff or Pilcher, for that matter, may say, this game has been high on their priority list since the schedules were made.

If it was just another game, why were purple shirts on Central’s tackling dummies this week? There weren’t any red or black jerseys on the dummies when Central prepared for Thomasville or Cairo Hmm! And the fact that Central’s holding its first “Blueout” is also a sure-fire sign this game means a lot.

Just the fact that second place in the region is on the line only adds to the importance of this grudge match.

It’s gut-check time for the Yellow Jackets. They have to rebound from their worst loss ever. Central can’t turn the ball over which has been a reccurring problem since midway through the season.

There are no secrets between Pilcher and Central coach Bill Shaver. They know each other well. They know each other’s tendencies, which could give one or the other an edge.

Here’s believing Central has the edge on the scoreboard in the end.

Central 31, Bainbridge 23

Fitzgerald at Thomasville

Another battle for second place takes place right down Jackson Street at Veterans Memorial Stadium.

This is the kind of test the Bulldogs need heading into the Class AA playoffs. The best team Thomasville has defetead this year is Cook and the Bulldogs had to complete a long pass to Dakari Mitchell late to do it. The Bulldogs need to continue to get that offense in gear, particularly, with the passing game. It’s an area that could prove to be beneficial come postseason time.

Thomasville’s defense also should be ready for a potent Fitzgerald rushing attack.

Expect the Bulldogs to emerge with their biggest win of the season. It’ll be a huge lift as the Bulldogs prepare to play either McIntosh County Academy, Charlton County or Appling County in the first round.

Thomasville 20, Fitzgerald 13