SWEET WATER &8212; When television came knocking, Sweet Water and Thomasville high schools answered the call by fielding one of the most exciting games in recent memory.

If there is any description of the play exhibited in last night&8217;s match up between the two powerhouse teams it is defense and early-in-the-season mistakes. The two teams combined for 15 fumbles and two interceptions, with Sweet Water coming out on top 27-13.

When asked what the deciding factor in the game was, Thomasville High School coach Jack Hankins said one word: &8220;turnovers.&8221;

While the final score is a bit misleading for a game that was 7-6 in the Bulldogs favor going into the half, turnovers were crucial to the end result of the game, as the Dogs covered seven of the Tiger&8217;s 10 fumbles and lost only two of their five. For example, the Sweet Water High School lead heading into half time was the result of a fumble recovery by the Bulldogs on the Thomasville 16 the play after a Tiger interception in the end zone.

Drew Luker ran the ball in on a quarterback keeper for the Bulldogs with 57 seconds remaining in the half.

In the second half of the game offenses came alive and turnovers kept coming. Sweet Water rushed for 59 yards gong into the half and finished the game with 213, while Thomasville went from 35 to 148.

The Bulldogs scored on their opening drive of the half and the Tigers tied the score up, 13-13, with 2:47 left in the third. The Bulldogs again answered on their next possession, making it 20-13.

Sweet Water threatened again but were stopped on downs at the one-year line, but another turnover proved enough to lock up the game for the group. Thomasville High School moved the ball to the 13 but were backed up to their own eight-yard line off a delay of game penalty when the bomb hit.

Senior defensive lineman Nakia Dennis broke through his blocker and nailed the unsuspecting Thomasville quarterback, Daniel Rodgers, forcing a fumble that was recovered in the end zone by Tyrece Lockett and Trae McIntosh, ending the scoring 27-13.

The Tigers tried to mount a drive but an interception Antonio Landrum on the Sweet Water 22-yard line with 1:28 to go allowed the Bulldogs to kneel and run down the clock for the win.

We knew we had to play our best game and get some breaks, which happened with the turnovers.&8221;