Just about everything went right for Thomasville Saturday evening, as the Bulldogs pushed around East Rutherford all night long, rolling to a convincing 35-3 victory in the first round of the NCHSAA 2A playoffs.

Thomasville was off and running from the opening kick of the game. Starting out at its own 44, the Bulldogs used a heavy dose of the run and one pass to score first. Kesean Green ran four straight times to move the ball down to the 34 of East. On third down, quarterback Sam Nelson hit Brandon Lucas for a big chunk of yards, as the play went for 21 yards. Two plays later from the 11, it was Lawrence Thomas bulling his way into the end zone for the score. A botched snap on the extra point kept the game at 6-0.

The Cougars were supposed to be about equal with the Bulldogs on speed, but THS was quicker in every aspect of the game.

East could not move the football against the stout Thomasville defense, who recorded the first of two defensive scores early in the second quarter. Facing third and long at his own 12, Cougar quarterback Mikhail Baxter dropped back to pass. He was met by a wall of men in red, and was gang sacked in the end zone for a safety.

Ahead 8-0, Thomasville kept pounding away with the run game, using a 3-man attack of Green, Riley and Thomas. Riley broke off the big one, breaking tackles up the middle for a 32-yard score and 15-0 Thomasville lead.

Riley would add another one with 1:26 to play in the half, set up by a tremendous punt return by De Dow. The senior received the punt at the East 45 and scampered down to the nine, where he was tripped up by the punter. One play was all Riley needed, taking the pitch from Nelson in, making it a 22-0 score.

East Rutherford did not cross over into Thomasville territory until the 1:16 mark of the first half. The trip resulted into three points, but that was not at all what the Cougars were looking for.

Isaiah Williams all but sealed the deal for the Bulldogs on the second play of the second half, accounting for the second defensive score for the Dogs. He picked off Baxter at the 38 and broke several tackles down the near sideline, following blockers to the house. THS was suddenly up 29-3, and with the way the defense was playing, that would be more than enough.

The final tally came on a Nelson to Brandon Lucas connection. Staring at fourth down and about 20 yards needed from the East 27, Nelson dropped back in the pocket and hit Lucas streaking across the middle of the field.

Thomasville will entertain Polk County next week at Cushwa Stadium.

Check Tuesday's edition of the Times for quotes and in depth game story.