By Marla Jones, Sports Editor • marla@southerntorch.com (Photo by Marla Jones)

GERALDINE, Ala. — The Geraldine Bulldogs defeated the Holly Pond Broncos  29-14 to advance to the second round of the Alabama High School Athletic Association (AHSAA) Class 3A State Playoffs.

The Bulldogs scored first on a 35-yard pass connection from D.J. Graham to Kyle Thackerson.  The PAT by Jose Garcia was good and the Bulldogs went up 7-0. On the Broncos next possession, they fumbled the handoff.  Andrew Hall recovered the ball setting up a Thackerson 35-yard stampede into the endzone.  The PAT by Garcia was good and the Bulldogs went up 14-0.

With 8:24 remaining in the first half, Thackerson once again found his way into the endzone, following a 12-play drive. After a roughing the kicker call against Holly Pond, Geraldine went for 2 and went up, 22-0. On their next possession, Holly Pond found the endzone on a 7-yard scamper with 3:40 remaining in the half. At the half, the Geraldine Bulldogs had the 22-6 advantage.

Geraldine’s opening drive of the second half took about 5 minutes off the clock and ended with an Anthony Baldwin 5-yard touchdown run.  PAT was good and the Bulldogs went up 29-6.

Holly Pond scored in the last minute of the fourth on a 4-yard dash into the endzone to make the final score, 29-14.

Thackerson led the Bulldogs with 65 rushing and 48 receiving yards.  He scored three touchdowns for the night.

This win gave the Bulldogs their first playoff win since 2012.  The Geraldine Bulldogs (9-2) will host Randolph County (10-1) on Friday night.