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Sweet Water head coach Pat Thompson reached his 100th career win on Friday after the Bulldogs defeated Choctaw County 48-14 Friday night in the first round of the Class 1A playoffs.

Thompson credited the achievement to the players and teams that he’s had over his career at Sweet Water.

“This really is a product of all of the teams that we’ve had here over the years,” Thompson said. “While it’s great to reach the milestone, it’s more about the players and the success of the Sweet Water football program.”

Sweet Water went to work from the opening kickoff and built a 35-6 lead by halftime.

Running backs Ethan Carr and Deion Blanks each had pair of touchdowns in the first half. Blanks scored on runs of 38 and 5 yards while Carr scored on runs of 2 and 31 yards. The second Carr score was set up by a short kickoff that was recovered by Evan Dunn.

Efrain Cardenas made six of seven extra points in the game.

Before the half, Delvonte Lacy intercepted a pass that set up quarterback Nate Norris’ pass to Timothy Kelly for a 18-yard touchdown pass.

In the second half, Choctaw County scored a touchdown on the opening drive, but Sweet Water responded on the next drive. Kelly in a backup quarterback role then found Elliot Lacy for a 63-yard touchdown on third-and-long.

The final score was set up by Jaquez Dixon’s blocked punt. Blanks then scored a 7-yard touchdown.

The win improves the Bulldogs’ record to 9-2.

Sweet Water (9-2) at Maplesville (9-2)

The Bulldogs have a familiar playoff foe in the second round of the playoffs. They will make the trip Maplesville 364 days after the Red Devils escaped Sweet Water with a 28-21 to eliminate Sweet Water.

The series is tied 7-7 with all but four meetings occurring in the playoffs.

Thompson said both teams are pretty much running the same systems the have been the during his entire career at Sweet Water.

“What I hope we can do is to turn this game into a war,” Thompson said. “The biggest thing for us is to hold on to the football and keep our offense on the field. Coach (Brad) Abbott has done a great job over there. They run the ball and throw it when they have to.”