Class A-Division I Blog: Toombs County begins title defense with shutout victory against Dooly County

The Toombs County football program began their title defense last week as the Bulldogs faced off against Dooly County where they shutout the Bobcats 42-0 in their first game of the season.

The Bulldogs scored a quick 35 points in the first half and never looked back as they totaled 14 points in the first quarter and 21 in the second to take an early five touchdown lead before the break.

The Bulldogs accounted for five rushing touchdowns as senior running back Justin Powell led the way with five carries for 46 yards and found the endzone three times in the victory. Junior running back Donterrius Mincey had the most rushing yards on the night with nine carries for 64 yards while senior Hayden Roy found the endzone one time off of 36 yards rushing.

Junior quarterback Joseph Owens spread the ball around to his pass catchers all night long as seven different receivers were able to record a catch on the night.

Owens finished the game with 119 yards and a passing touchdown, spreading the ball all around the field.

Senior wideout Gavin Fletcher led the Bulldogs in receiving yards last week, totaling three receptions for 73 yards including a 44-yard touchdown strike from Owens accounting for the only touchdown through the air on the night.

The Bulldogs are coming off of an excellent 2024 season where they were able to win the program's first-ever state championship in head coach Buddy Martin’s first season at the helm. Toombs County took down Northeast in last season’s state title 38-18 after going through Southwest, Commerce, Elbert County, and Dublin on its way to winning the Class A-Division I state championship a year ago.

Like they did a season ago, the Bulldogs will have a tough road to the state championship in 2025 as they not only have a competitive region to play in, in Region 3-ADI, as well as a tough out-of-region schedule that includes Rome, Charlton County and a handful of others.

Inside their region, the Bulldogs will have to face Swainsboro, Savannah Christian, Savannah Country Day and Vidalia on their road back to Mercedes-Benz Stadium to play in the state championship this season.

Toombs County will travel to Dougherty this week to face the Trojans at 7:30 p.m. before facing South Effingham next week at 8 p.m.

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