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Wes McCard

Sports Editor

The Thomaston-Upson County Bulldogs did something Saturday that any team rarely does, and that is finish with an undefeated season. After dominating every team in regular season play, the Bulldogs continued to roll in the Piedmont League Playoffs.

The Bulldogs received a first round bye in the playoffs, and faced off with the Spalding County Bills in the second round on Thursday evening.

The temperature was frigid Thursday night, but the Bulldogs remained hot, as they easily defeated the Bills from Spalding County by a 36-6 score. The Bulldogs scored three times in the second quarter on their way to victory.

De’Marion Colbert got the scoring started for the Bulldogs, as he scampered for an eight-yard TD run, giving the Bulldogs a 6-0 lead. His partner in the back field, Xzavious Mathis, added the Bulldogs’ next score on a 49-yard TD run. The Bulldogs’ Tanner “Meat” Gilbert converted a 2-point PAT and the Bulldogs quickly led 14-0.

The Bills would score their only points of the game on a 1 yard TD run by Jamoi Mayes, but their PAT failed, and trailed the boys from T-Town 14-6. Just before the half, the Bulldogs’ Colbert scored again on a seven-yard TD run. Following another 2-point PAT by Gilbert, the Bulldogs went into the locker room at halftime with a 22-6 lead.

In the second half of the game, it was all Bulldogs. Wanya Johnson scored on a nine-yard TD run in the third quarter. Gilbert connected on his third PAT of the game, and the Bulldogs led, 30-6. With the game getting out of reach for the Bills, the Bulldogs added another score in the fourth quarter to put the game away. Colbert connected with Matthews Brooks on a 35-yard TD pass, as the Bulldogs downed the Bills 36-6 and advanced to the Championship Game on Saturday.

The Spalding County 49ers squeaked out a 28-22 victory over the Thomaston-Upson Seminoles to advance to the Championship Game against the Bulldogs.

On Saturday, with temperatures much nicer, the Bulldogs faced off with the 49ers for the third time this season. The Bulldogs had already defeated the 49ers twice, but as the old cliche goes, it’s hard to beat a team three times in one season.

The Bulldogs threw all the cliches out of the window, as they defeated the 49ers Saturday at Matthews Field by a 16-8 score, winning the Piedmont League Championship.

Xzavious Mathis scored both of the touchdowns for the Bulldogs on touchdown runs of six and 10 yards. Tanner Gilbert connected on both PATs in the Bulldogs victory. Congratulation to the Piedmont League Champions, the Thomaston-Upson County Bulldogs.