Eastman, GA – August 14, 2026 | Buddy Martin, Head Coach | Article by Matt Lynn
Toombs County controlled all three phases Friday night, shutting out Dodge County 29-0 as the Bulldogs completed their preparations for the 2026 regular season.
The Bulldogs wasted little time getting on the scoreboard. On Toombs County’s opening possession, junior Jace Pittman capped the drive with a 4-yard touchdown run with 7:32 remaining in the first quarter, giving the Bulldogs a 6-0 lead.
With the junior varsity handling much of the first-quarter action, Toombs carried the 6-0 lead into the second quarter before the varsity took over.
The Bulldogs immediately went back to work, marching 63 yards on eight plays on their first varsity scoring drive. One of the possession’s biggest plays came in an unexpected way. A bad snap on a punt forced junior Nick Carroll to scoop up the loose football, but Carroll turned the potential setback into a first down, racing 13 yards to move the chains.
A late hit out of bounds on Carroll added another 15 yards to the play and put Toombs County in position to strike.
Senior running back Donterrius Mincey finished the drive with a 20-yard touchdown run, extending the Bulldogs’ lead to 13-0 at halftime.
Mincey struck again in the third quarter, scoring on an 8-yard run for his second touchdown of the night.
Senior placekicker Alex Otero followed with a 34-yard field goal, pushing the Toombs County lead to 22-0 heading into the fourth quarter.
Sophomore Carmello Ricks delivered the final score late in regulation, breaking free for a 61-yard touchdown run to secure the 29-0 shutout.
It was an impressive preseason performance for Toombs County, with the Bulldogs making plays on offense, defense and special teams while keeping Dodge County off the scoreboard.
With the preseason complete, the Bulldogs will turn their attention to a much bigger challenge as the 2026 regular season begins next Friday night in Savannah.
Toombs County will travel to face the Benedictine Cadets, ranked No. 2 in Class 5A, in an immediate early-season test.
Toombs County at Benedictine
Friday Night — Savannah, Georgia
Kickoff: 7:30 p.m.
