Syrup Pitcher on the line Friday Night

It’s that time! Time for Syrupmaker football once again as the Syrupmakers (0-0) and Thomasville Bulldogs (0-1) tie up for the 71st time in a series dating all the way back to 1922. The Bulldogs snapped an 8-game losing streak to the Syrupmakers with a 21-10 win last year in Thomasville. The rivalry, one of the oldest in the state of Georgia, also decides who takes possession of the coveted Syrup Pitcher, donated in the 50s by the late Julien B. Roddenbery.
“It’s a rivalry game and that means a lot to our fans and kids, but it’s also our first game of the season and, like every year, we just want to get better each week and this is that first step,” said coach Tom Fallaw.
The Bulldogs, who went 7-4 last year, lost some playmakers on offense, namely Mario Cherry, who accumulated 3,540 yards of offense. However, Thomasville returns six of those players from last season and seven on defense. Bulldog quarterback Kenneth Hayes has a lot of talent and can make things happen for the Bulldogs offensively.
Last year, the Bulldogs responded with 21 unanswered points in the second half, after the Syrupmakers took a 10-0 lead in the first half of play.
The Syrupmakers return most of their offensive backfield with Jeremiah Hill, who rushed for over 1,000 yards last season at tailback, fullback Marcus Gaines is also back and quarterback Stacy Masten returns, as well. The biggest changes come on the offensive line, where most of last year’s starters graduated.
Defensively, the Syrupmakers will look to put pressure on the Bulldog quarterback and slow down a team that opened the season last week with an offense that put up 35 points against West Laurens, in a 42-35 loss for the Bulldogs.
Before the game, Cairo High School will officially name the football field at West Thomas Stadium in honor of former CHS principal and a longtime supporter of CHS athletics, Wayne Tootle. Many of Tootle’s former coaches and administrators will be on hand for the ceremony that is set to begin at 7:05 p.m. before the game.
Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m. at West Thomas Stadium. Tickets are $8 general admission and may be purchased in advance at the high school. Season tickets are also on sale to the general public this week.
The game will be broadcast “live” on WGRA radio and on the Internet at www.wgra.net.