Thomasville High School
Encyclopedia
Thomasville High School is a public secondary school
located in Thomasville
, Georgia
, USA. It is one of only a handful of city school systems left in the state of Georgia. It is considered by the Georgia High School Association
to be an AA school system.
program. When the football program began in 1910 it was known as the Thomasville Red Cyclones. This changed in 1923 when they were given permission by the University of Georgia
to use the Bulldog
mascot.
The school colors were initially red and black. These did not change until segregation came to an end and the school merged with Douglas High School and took on the color gold, while doing away with black. In 97 years of football the school has one high school football national championship
(1974), five state championships (1925, 1945, 1958 co-champs, 1973, 1974, 1988). They have also won 24 region titles, with the most recent coming in 2007. Thomas County Central High School
and Cairo High School
are their primary rivals, while there was a suspension of the two series' in the late 1990s they now play the two schools in their first two games of the season each year. The school has produced major college and NFL players including: William Andrews, Mike Bobo
, Shawn Jones
, Mike Jones (University of Georgia), Eric Curry
, Guy McIntyre
.
The school won a state baseball championship in 1999. Levale Speigner
was part of the 1999 team and he has gone on to play professional baseball.
The school won a state soccer championship in 2010. They were the Area 2 AA/A champions as well with an overall record of 19-0-4, the school's first undefeated season. They scored 100 goals and allowed 15 on the season. They ended the season #1 in division AA/A and ranked #8 overall in the state.
Secondary school
Secondary school is a term used to describe an educational institution where the final stage of schooling, known as secondary education and usually compulsory up to a specified age, takes place...
located in Thomasville
Thomasville, Georgia
Thomasville is the county seat of Thomas County, Georgia, United States. The city is the second largest in Southwest Georgia after Albany.The city deems itself the City of Roses and holds an annual Rose Festival. The town features plantations open to the public, a historic downtown, a large...
, Georgia
Georgia (U.S. state)
Georgia is a state located in the southeastern United States. It was established in 1732, the last of the original Thirteen Colonies. The state is named after King George II of Great Britain. Georgia was the fourth state to ratify the United States Constitution, on January 2, 1788...
, USA. It is one of only a handful of city school systems left in the state of Georgia. It is considered by the Georgia High School Association
Georgia High School Association
The Georgia High School Association governs athletic and club events for member high schools in Georgia, USA. The GHSA is a member of the National Federation of State High School Associations. The association comprises 437 public and private high schools...
to be an AA school system.
Sports
Thomasville High is known for its footballAmerican football
American football is a sport played between two teams of eleven with the objective of scoring points by advancing the ball into the opposing team's end zone. Known in the United States simply as football, it may also be referred to informally as gridiron football. The ball can be advanced by...
program. When the football program began in 1910 it was known as the Thomasville Red Cyclones. This changed in 1923 when they were given permission by the University of Georgia
University of Georgia
The University of Georgia is a public research university located in Athens, Georgia, United States. Founded in 1785, it is the oldest and largest of the state's institutions of higher learning and is one of multiple schools to claim the title of the oldest public university in the United States...
to use the Bulldog
Bulldog
Bulldog is the name for a breed of dog commonly referred to as the English Bulldog. Other Bulldog breeds include the American Bulldog, Olde English Bulldogge and the French Bulldog. The Bulldog is a muscular heavy dog with a wrinkled face and a distinctive pushed-in nose...
mascot.
The school colors were initially red and black. These did not change until segregation came to an end and the school merged with Douglas High School and took on the color gold, while doing away with black. In 97 years of football the school has one high school football national championship
High School Football National Championship
The High School Football National Championship is a national championship honor awarded to the best high school football team in the United States of America based on rankings from USA Today and the National Prep Poll. There have been some efforts over the years at organizing a single-game playoff...
(1974), five state championships (1925, 1945, 1958 co-champs, 1973, 1974, 1988). They have also won 24 region titles, with the most recent coming in 2007. Thomas County Central High School
Thomas County Central High School
Thomas County Central High School is a high school in Thomasville, Georgia, USA. It is home to the Yellow Jackets, the 1992, 1993, 1994, 1996, and 1997 AAAA state champion football team.- Administrators :...
and Cairo High School
Cairo High School
Cairo High School is a public high school in Cairo, Georgia. The motto for the school is "With Pride, We Give Our Best". The school has the widely known Syrupmaker Band, "The Pride of Dixie". The award winning marching band is under the direction of National High School Band Director's Hall of...
are their primary rivals, while there was a suspension of the two series' in the late 1990s they now play the two schools in their first two games of the season each year. The school has produced major college and NFL players including: William Andrews, Mike Bobo
Mike Bobo
Mike Bobo is an American college football coach and the offensive coordinator of the University of Georgia football team.-Playing career:...
, Shawn Jones
Shawn Jones
Shawn Jones was a National Football League player for the Minnesota Vikings. Jones was a four year starter at Quarterback for the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets.- High School :...
, Mike Jones (University of Georgia), Eric Curry
Eric Curry
Eric Felece Curry is a former professional American football defensive end who played seven seasons for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the Jacksonville Jaguars from 1993 to 1999 in the National Football League...
, Guy McIntyre
Guy McIntyre
Guy Maurice McIntyre is a former professional American football offensive lineman in the National Football League...
.
The school won a state baseball championship in 1999. Levale Speigner
Levale Speigner
Jimmy Levale Speigner is an American Major League Baseball relief pitcher who is currently a free agent...
was part of the 1999 team and he has gone on to play professional baseball.
The school won a state soccer championship in 2010. They were the Area 2 AA/A champions as well with an overall record of 19-0-4, the school's first undefeated season. They scored 100 goals and allowed 15 on the season. They ended the season #1 in division AA/A and ranked #8 overall in the state.
Notable alumni
- William Andrews - retired NFLNational Football LeagueThe National Football League is the highest level of professional American football in the United States, and is considered the top professional American football league in the world. It was formed by eleven teams in 1920 as the American Professional Football Association, with the league changing...
footballAmerican footballAmerican football is a sport played between two teams of eleven with the objective of scoring points by advancing the ball into the opposing team's end zone. Known in the United States simply as football, it may also be referred to informally as gridiron football. The ball can be advanced by...
running backRunning backA running back is a gridiron football position, who is typically lined up in the offensive backfield. The primary roles of a running back are to receive handoffs from the quarterback for a rushing play, to catch passes from out of the backfield, and to block.There are usually one or two running...
. He played collegiatelyCollege footballCollege football refers to American football played by teams of student athletes fielded by American universities, colleges, and military academies, or Canadian football played by teams of student athletes fielded by Canadian universities...
at Auburn UniversityAuburn UniversityAuburn University is a public university located in Auburn, Alabama, United States. With more than 25,000 students and 1,200 faculty members, it is one of the largest universities in the state. Auburn was chartered on February 7, 1856, as the East Alabama Male College, a private liberal arts...
and played professionally with the Atlanta FalconsAtlanta FalconsThe Atlanta Falcons are a professional American football team based in Atlanta, Georgia. They are a member of the South Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League...
. - Lloyd J. AustinLloyd J. AustinLloyd James Austin III is a United States Army general who currently serves as Commanding General, United States Forces - Iraq. On June 30, 2010, he was confirmed by the Senate to replace General Ray Odierno and to lead Operation New Dawn. -Early years & Education:Lloyd James Austin III was born...
- Commanding General of U.S. XVIII Airborne CorpsU.S. XVIII Airborne CorpsThe XVIII Airborne Corps is the corps of the United States Army designed for rapid deployment anywhere in the world. It is referred to as "America's Contingency Corps". Its headquarters are at Fort Bragg, North Carolina.-World War II:... - Eric CurryEric CurryEric Felece Curry is a former professional American football defensive end who played seven seasons for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the Jacksonville Jaguars from 1993 to 1999 in the National Football League...
- former professional American footballAmerican footballAmerican football is a sport played between two teams of eleven with the objective of scoring points by advancing the ball into the opposing team's end zone. Known in the United States simply as football, it may also be referred to informally as gridiron football. The ball can be advanced by...
defensive endDefensive endDefensive end is the name of a defensive position in the sport of American and Canadian football.This position has designated the players at each end of the defensive line, but changes in formations have substantially changed how the position is played over the years...
in the National Football LeagueNational Football LeagueThe National Football League is the highest level of professional American football in the United States, and is considered the top professional American football league in the world. It was formed by eleven teams in 1920 as the American Professional Football Association, with the league changing...
. He played for the Tampa Bay BuccaneersTampa Bay BuccaneersThe Tampa Bay Buccaneers are a professional American football franchise based in Tampa, Florida, U.S. They are currently members of the Southern Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League – they are the only team in the division not to come from the old NFC West...
and the Jacksonville JaguarsJacksonville JaguarsThe Jacksonville Jaguars are a professional American football team based in Jacksonville, Florida, U.S. They are currently members of the South Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
. - Guy McIntyreGuy McIntyreGuy Maurice McIntyre is a former professional American football offensive lineman in the National Football League...
- former professional American footballAmerican footballAmerican football is a sport played between two teams of eleven with the objective of scoring points by advancing the ball into the opposing team's end zone. Known in the United States simply as football, it may also be referred to informally as gridiron football. The ball can be advanced by...
offensive lineman in the National Football LeagueNational Football LeagueThe National Football League is the highest level of professional American football in the United States, and is considered the top professional American football league in the world. It was formed by eleven teams in 1920 as the American Professional Football Association, with the league changing...
. He played for the San Francisco 49ersSan Francisco 49ersThe San Francisco 49ers are a professional American football team based in San Francisco, California, playing in the West Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The team was founded in 1946 as a charter member of the All-America Football Conference and...
. - Levale SpeignerLevale SpeignerJimmy Levale Speigner is an American Major League Baseball relief pitcher who is currently a free agent...
- relief pitcherRelief pitcherA relief pitcher or reliever is a baseball or softball pitcher who enters the game after the starting pitcher is removed due to injury, ineffectiveness, fatigue, ejection, or for other strategic reasons, such as being substituted by a pinch hitter...
for the Florida MarlinsFlorida MarlinsThe Miami Marlins are a professional baseball team based in Miami, Florida, United States. Established in 1993 as an expansion franchise called the Florida Marlins, the Marlins are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's National League. The Marlins played their home games at...
.