Davie picked up the first three-game winning streak in Devore Holman’s two years as coach, but it was host Thomasville that left the field with a renewed bounce in its step last night. Davie’s enthusiasm was actually dampened during a closer-than-expected 31-13 win.
A Davie win was considered a foregone conclusion against the winless Bulldogs (0-4). But the War Eagles (4-1) had to work to put away Thomasville, suffering a letdown following a spirited 35-32 win over North Rowan.
“We had enough to get by,” Holman said. “We had too many penalties. We had missed tackles upon missed tackles. We didn’t execute well offensively. I told them all week that Thomasville was dangerous because they’re looking for a win and they’re going to fight you tooth and nail.”
Davie led just 3-0 at the half, the only points coming on a 22-yard field goal by Jonn Young in the first quarter.
Davie’s offense did find its rhythm in the second half, scoring 28 points in a span of 18 minutes.
Cameron Coleman — who enjoyed a season-high 112 rushing yards while filling in again for an injured Cade Carney — broke a 32-yard run to set up his 3-yard score. A two-point pass from Chris Reynolds to Cooper Wall gave Davie an 11-0 lead.
Thomasville continued to put up a fight, with D.J. Spann slipping through the defense 38 yards to cut the margin to 11-7. Late in the third, Davie QB Parker Correll tossed a screen to Coleman on third-and-9. Coleman took it 50 yards for a 17-7 advantage.
Correll’s completions to Zach Oxendine and Ben Ellis set up Coleman’s third TD, an 11-yard run, and Davie’s cushion was 24-7 with 7:34 to go.
Thomasville covered 59 yards on eight consecutive runs to cut it to 24-13 with 4:28 left.
The War Eagles completed the scoring moments later. Ellis’ 47-yard reception led to a 3-yard score by E.J. Braswell.
Davie finished with a season low in points, and Thomasville outran the War Eagles 278-157. The good news for Davie: Coleman scored three TDs for the second straight game, Correll passed for 200-plus yards for the sixth straight game and threw a TD for the 12th straight game, and Ellis delivered 96-plus receiving yards for the fifth game in a row.
But the sloppy performance heightened worries as Davie prepares for the Central Piedmont Conference opener against explosive Reagan.
“Not only do they have one of the best quarterbacks in this area in (Jake) Easter, they have a supporting cast as well,” Holman said. “They’re going to be a mouthful.”