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Thursday, December 9

Dream season ends abruptly as Tigers stun Choctaws

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Thomasville 38 – Bibb County 14

By Daniel L. Bamberg

“Let’s hear it for the your 2010 Bibb County Choctaws, and the best season ever,” requested BCHS football field announcer Judge Jack Meigs on Friday night in Centreville.  It was the first time Bibb County had ever reached beyond the quarterfinals in the State Playoffs.  It was also, unfortunately the end.

Bibb County had suffered a heartbreaking loss at home, to the Thomasville Tigers.  While the score was 38-14, the lopsidedness wasn’t reflective of the local team’s passion or character.  For it is clear that this team, not unlike last year’s Choctaws brought a community together.  There was a sense of pride in the air, even in the face of defeat.  

“I told them (senior players) that they had nothing to regret,” explained BCHS head coach Mike Battles.  “This group went farther in the State Playoffs than any team in school history.  Until tonight these seniors never faced a loss at home.  They broke records.  They won 2 consecutive region championships.  They combined for a record of 34-5.  They went undefeated in the regular season.  They set a school record for wins in a season (12) and repeated it.  They have great character and the only thing they didn’t do was win a state championship.” 

There haven’ been many games in Centreville with such an overall turnout as Friday night’s semifinal game.  In spite of the cold weather both sides of the stadium were nearly filled to capacity.  Early on Choctaw Stadium was rocking. 

The Tigers received the ball first and shocked the home crowd returning the opening kickoff 80 yards for a touchdown.  It was the first time all season that a team had been able to return a kick to the end zone against the Choctaws. 

In the first half of play it was a defensive struggle for both teams.  The Tigers were however able to move the ball a little, and even drove close enough for a field goal.  Bibb County however could not find an answer to the Tigers stacked box defensive attack.  For the first time all season the Choctaws had less than 100 yards of total offense at the halfway mark.  The only real spark Bibb County was able to find in the opening two quarters was an interception by Jeffery Westbrook.  The Choctaws went into the locker room down 10-0. 

Hope was not lost, however.  Take away a short field goal drive and a kickoff return and Thomasville was having just as much trouble solving Bibb’s defense as The Choctaws were at solving the Tigers. 

After Bibb County received the ball to open the second half a spark hit the offense.  On four consecutive plays the Choctaws combined for over 30 yards of offense by running the ball straight up the middle.  They made another first down before eventually being forced to punt the ball away.  Following that exciting possession everything seemed to fall apart.  Fumbles, slips, slides and a blocked punt lead to a lopsided view on the scoreboard.  For the Choctaws the game became a lesson in Murphy’s Law.  If it could go wrong, it did. 

In the 4th quarter Bibb County was able to show an emergence of offense again scoring two touchdowns, both on the legs of senior, Taylor Morton in smash mouth fashion.  It was to no avail however.  The Thomasville lead was insurmountable. 

Following the game Bibb County Principal Lee Van Fleet awarded the Choctaws with the ASHAA Semi-finals plaque.  It wasn’t a ring, but it was a trophy that had never before graced the hallways of BCHS.  There was a somber expression on the face of the Bibb County players, but fans stood to applaud a team that was inspiring throughout the season. 

 “These players have a lot to take pride in,” explained Battles.  “Right now they are heart broken, but this game is only a small part of the lives they will lead.  I am going to miss practicing with them.  I was looking forward to practicing with those seniors one more time.  That’s what sinks in for me.  I’ve gotten really close to this bunch and they have tremendous character,” concluded Battles.

The Bibb County Choctaws end their 2010 dream season with a record of 12-2.  Meanwhile senior standouts Taylor Morton, Diaheem Watkins, Tevin Crews, Jeffery Westbrook, Andrelle Smith, and J.J. Rutledge and others will be looking at potential college offers.  This may not be the last Choctaws fans will see from the BCHS 2010 class on the gridiron.  

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