Sweet Water High School played a great season opening game Thursday against cross county line rival, Thomasville High School, pulling off a, 27-13, upset of the No. 2 ranked 4A Tigers.

The Bulldogs came out in the televised game and beat Thomasville for the first time in 10 years and the second time in 23. Thomasville High School coach Jack Hankins used one word to describe the difference maker in the game: &8220;turnovers.&8221;

Enter Nakia Dennis. Dennis was named ASWA honorable mention All-State, Birmingham News All-State and Tuscaloosa News All-Southwest-Alabama honorable mention for his performance for the Bulldogs last year. This year he entered his senior year with a bang.

After his team got the go ahead lead, 20-13, both team&8217;s offenses stalled &8212; a theme throughout the defensive struggle. The Bulldogs turned the ball over on downs on the Tiger one-yard line. The Tigers moved the ball out to the 13 but were pressed back to their own eight when Dennis made his move.

In a game in which both teams combined to amass 15 fumble and two interceptions, a mere seven point lead was anything but security &8212; something Dennis knew. On first and 15 from the eight Dennis slammed through the Tigers&8217; offensive line and hit Thomasville High School quarterback, Daniel Rodgers, who was caught unawares, forcing a fumble in the Tiger end zone that was recovered by the Bulldogs for a touchdown, 27-13.

&8212; Brandon Glover