THOMSON -- A 28-point explosion in the second quarter made the difference. That kind of unanswered scoring run usually does.
Thomson used the late first-half burst to put Butler away 40-6 in the Brickyard on Friday.
"Everybody came out and did their jobs, did what they had to. Everybody gave 100 percent," said Thomson halfback Kwynta D.T. Brown, who rushed for 72 yards and a touchdown on six carries. "I just felt like it was good timing. I come out here and do what I have to do to get us on the board."
A 4-yard touchdown run from Thomson fullback James Bonner got things started with 37 seconds remaining in the first quarter. He found the end zone again from 10 yards out with 9:44 left in the second.
But it was Thomson linebacker Lonnie Harris' 40-yard interception return 1:55 before halftime that opened the flood gates. Harris sprinted down the middle of the field untouched for the score to put Thomson up 27-0.
"It feels pretty good to be able to do that," Harris said.
After Harris' score, Butler went three and out. Thomson quarterback Brandon Turman hit an open Darius Eubanks 48 yards downfield to set up Carlton Martin's 4-yard touchdown run just before halftime.
That Thomson held Butler scoreless until late in the fourth quarter was an accomplishment, defensive coordinator John Barnett said.
Thomson played without five defensive starters, four of whom didn't even dress.
"We don't take anybody lightly," Harris said.
Butler was able to throw for 129 yards between two quarterbacks.
Its one score came on the ground behind a quarterback run around the left side for 40 yards with 5:07 left in the game.
With the clock running in the second half and a 34-0 lead, the Thomson coaches cleared the bench.
The backups put one score on the board at the end of the third quarter for Thomson's final points.
Thomson 40, Butler 6
Play of the game: Thomson linebacker Lonnie Harris picked off a Butler pass and returned it 40 yards for the score to put the Bulldogs up 27-0.
Why Thomson won: Both offense and defense were clicking.
Why Butler lost: Couldn't establish a rhythm on offense.
Star of the game: Thomson halfback Kwynta "D.T." Brown rushed for 72 yards and a score on six carries.
What's next: Thomson at Glenn Hills, 7:30 p.m., Friday
Butler 0 0 0 6 - 6
Thomson 6 28 7 0 - 40
First Quarter
T - James Bonner 4 run (kick failed) 0:37.
Second Quarter
T - Bonner 10 run (Adam Dent kick) 9:44
T - Kwynta Brown 28 run (Dent kick) 2:51
T - Lonnie Harris 40 interception return (Dent kick) 1:55
T - Carlton Martin 4 run (Dent kick) 0:33.
Third Quarter
T - Huff 21 run (Kick blocked) 0:29.
Fourth Quarter
B - #5 40 run (Conversion failed) 5:06
B T
First downs 5 16
Rushes-yards 17-80 52-423
Passing yards 129 48
Comp.-Att.-Int. 8-25-1 1-2-1
Fumbles-lost 1-1 1-1
Punts-yards 7-28.6 1-49
Penalties-yards 3-15 6-50
INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS
RUSHING - Butler: Fuentes Brown 6-58, Jamaral Lane 1-(-2), Kendariss Brown 3-(-7). Thomson: Jeremy McGahee 4-80, Kwynta Brown 6-72, James Bonner 11-48, Kendrick 11-72, Huff 6-51, Dontavis Brown 9-61, Brandon Turman 1-25, Damarcus Smith 1-5, Carlton Martin 1-4.
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