THOMASVILLE – The 2023 season may have ended just a month ago, but the 2024 schedule is already set for the Thomasville Bulldogs.
Thomasville’s reclassification to Region 1-A Division I for the 2024-26 school years means the Bulldogs will be facing new and old opponents over the next two seasons.
Thomasville will open the season on Aug. 16 at Brooks County. The familiar foes met this past season with the Bulldogs prevailing 42-20.
The Bulldogs’ home opener is scheduled for Aug. 23 against the Pelham Hornets. Pelham finished 5-7 this past season. The Bulldogs will travel to rival Cairo on Aug. 30 before hosting state champion Thomas County Central on Sept. 6 to cap the non-region slate. Thomasville lost both rivalry games in 2023.
Thomasville will host its region opener against Bacon County on Sept. 20 after the first of two bye weeks. Bacon County finished 4-6 last year.
The Bulldogs will have their longest road trip of the regular season on Sept. 27 when they travel to Jeff Davis; a 2 ½ hour trip. The Yellow Jackets finished 5-6 last season. Thomasville will host Worth County (5-6 last season) on Oct. 4 before traveling to Fitzgerald on Oct. 11. The Purple Hurricane advanced to the Class 2-A semifinals and finished 10-4 in 2023. Thomasville and Fitzgerald last played in the 2021 state championship game.
Thomasville’s final regular season home game will be on Oct. 18 against Brantley County, which finished 5-5.
Thomasville’s second bye week is slated for Oct. 25 before the team’s regular season finale at Berrien on Nov. 1. Thomasville last traveled to Nashville to play Berrien in 2020.
“We are super excited about Region 1 in Class Division I. It’s a tough region that includes state championship caliber programs,” Thomasville coach Jonathan DeLay said. “We have some traditional rivals in Fitzgerald, Worth and Berrien. Bacon, Jeff Davis and Brantley will bring a new set of challenges to us as well. We have a lot of work to do to prepare, but we can’t wait to get to region time next year.”
Thomasville will host a preseason scrimmage with Dougherty on Aug. 9. Thomasville’s home games will start at 8 p.m., while its road games will kick off at 7:30 p.m.