Thomas Sumter's Tillman leads Generals to 1st victory en route to Hines Furniture Athlete of the Week

The Thomas Sumter football team wanted nothing more than a homecoming victory when they hosted Clarendon Hall on Friday. Senior Jordan Tillman was more than happy to do his part.

The running back scored the Generals' only touchdown while playing an integral role on the TSA defense that held the Saints to just six points in a 7-6 TSA victory, their first of the season. His efforts, which included forcing two turnovers on defense, also helped Tillman earn recognition as the Hines Furniture Athlete of the Week.

"I'm just glad everyone was there for me. It's something I've wanted since I was younger," Tillman said of the support of the Thomas Sumter community. "Since I was at my other school, everybody told me I couldn't do it, I wasn't anything. Now I've got my team behind me, everybody is helping me and letting me run the ball and letting me do what I do. I'm just loving it."

Thomas Sumter head coach Stacy Bell couldn't be more proud of his star senior for the way he stepped up throughout the victory on Friday.

"I think it shows his perseverance," Bell said of Tillman. "He has a vision of what he wants to try to accomplish, and I hope this shows him if I work hard and follow a plan, good things will come."

Tillman provided the Generals' first highlight on Friday, intercepting a pass on the Saints' opening drive. But his biggest play was saved for the second half. After two scoreless quarters, the senior started the second half with a bang. After a fumbled punt return by the Saints, Tillman took a third-and-seven handoff, bounced outside to his right and found daylight. He had a clear run of 29 yards to the end zone for the game's first points in a defensive battle.

"As soon as I cut back and saw the open field, I started to get on my horse thinking I've gotta get there," he said. "I was going to get to that end zone."

That touchdown play came from weeks of repetition on that exact cutback.

"They do drills every day on trying to show him how that's going to look," Bell said. "And our offensive line, when we get into that heavy package, they like it, and they block really hard. It was there, and Jordan took advantage of it."

The senior did a little bit of everything in the victory. He rushed for 114 yards on offense, while adding three tackles, a tackle for a loss, a pick and a forced fumble on defense.

"I just like helping my team out," Tillman said of his role in the win. "I just want to go out there and play football on either side of the ball and do whatever I can."

Bell loves having a player like Tillman that he can use as a queen on the chessboard on the defensive side of the ball.

"It shows he has great athletic ability," Bell said of Tillman's ability to play both ways. "When we're in certain coverage, he's pressed and inside, and when we're in another, he's seven yards and off, when we're in another, he's man-to-man and he's not confused. He's ready for that moment. It helps a great deal when you're calling plays."

The emotions of the win still run high days later, as the Generals snapped a homecoming losing streak that has lasted far too long.

"It's just big for the school. Before the game, no one knew the last time we won a homecoming game," Tillman said. "We've had a bad season, but we're coming back and, as a team, everyone did their part and everyone knew what the game meant for everyone. I had a lot of my old teammates and coaches come, and they got to see what I can really do out here. And my mom, I'm really glad she got to be out here and support and watch me grow as a player."

Tillman and Bell think this win can help propel the Generals to a strong finish as they look to make a push to the playoffs.

"I think our confidence is a little bit higher, but we still have to be humble and know we have to work hard every day in practice," Tillman said. "Being able to go out there, no matter who we're playing, and give 110% and see what we can go out there and do."

"I hope it shows them they're capable of winning," Bell added. "I tell them all the time that they're better than they realize. We can't change the past, but we have to envision our future. We have four games left; they're all either region games or rivalry games. I don't want to get ahead of ourselves, but if we can get another one, there's a chance for the playoffs. If we get two, we're definitely in. We just want to take it week by week, and I want them to know they can be good."