Thomas accounted for all five Coosa Christian scores en route to a 34-14 win in the season-opener for both teams. He carried the ball 25 times for 161 yards and two touchdowns, returned two punts for touchdowns and intercepted a pass and returned it for another score.
The senior had 133 yards for Coosa (1-0) in the opening half. He rushed for two touchdowns as Coosa rebounded from an opening possession turnover for a 12-6 halftime edge.
Gaylesville (0-1) scored the game’s first points after a Conqueror turnover at the Coosa 35. A 1-yard run by Murphy capped the eight-play 35 yard drive by Trojans who led 6-0 after the point after kick sailed wide with 5:38 to play in the opening quarter. A 15-yard pass from Murphy to Josh Whitaker highlighted the scoring drive.
Coosa drove 55 yards in five-plays on the ensuing possession. Thomas covered the last 35 yards as the Conquerors tied the score at 6 after a failed PAT with 3:32 showing on the clock.
An errant snap on a Trojan punt attempt ended with Coosa gaining possession at the Gaylesville 21-yard line. Thomas gained 2 yards on first down and sprinted the remainder to the end zone on the next snap as Coosa edged ahead 12-6. Colby Helms 2-point conversion run was stopped short.
Coosa held Gaylesville to three-and-out to start the third quarter before Thomas returned a Trojan punt 70-yards and followed it with a 2-point conversion run for a 20-6 cushion.
Thomas also intercepted a pass and returned it 27 yards for another Coosa touchdown with 6:58 to play. Helms passed to Mason Aldridge for two more points and a 28-6 advantage with 6:58 left in the third when a few rain drops fell.
Coosa and Thomas’ final touchdown came with 8:47 remaining in the game when he returned a punt 77 yards and the Conquerors led 34-6 after another failed PAT.
Gaylesville scored with 6:47 left to play when Murphy ran 47 yards ending a three-play, 57-yard yard drive. John VanPelt ran in the two-point conversion that posted the final score.
Thomas played sparing in the second half, mostly as a decoy, and didn’t see action in the final quarter.
He faked a punt and ran 26 yards for a first down and his night also included a 37-yard kickoff return.
Coosa rushed for 190 yards on 47 attempts and finished with 212 yards of total offense. Helms completed 1 of 5 for 15 yards and no interceptions.
Gaylesville gained 100 yards on the ground on 46 carries. Murphy led the Trojans with 81 yards and two touchdowns on 12 carries. He also threw for 39 yards after completing 4 of 11 passes.
Murphy also made his mark on defense. He led Gaylesville with 15 tackles and broke up a pass.
John David Jennings rushed for 46 yards on 16 carries for the Trojans. David Sanford added 24 yards on 11 carries.
Whitaker was the Trojans’ top receiver. He hauled in three passes for 29 yards.
Michael Zuber added eight tackles and had a fumble recovery for Gaylesville. Paul VanPelt had seven stops. Sanford and Justin Jennings had six tackles apiece. Sanford also forced a fumble and Justin Jennings had a fumble recovery.
Gaylesville travels to Gaston in a battle of Class 1A, Region 6 teams next Friday at 7 p.m.
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