As I left Centennial Field, following Friday night’s Bainbridge High School Bearcats’ 49-42 Region 1-AAAAA and regular season ending victory over the Lee County High School Trojans, a popular phrase kept running through my mind.

The phrase, “when the going gets tough, the tough get going,” first hit me after the Trojans scored 35 unanswered points to tie the Bearcats 42-42.

Faced with having to score or go to an overtime tie breaker, the Bearcats came through like the tough team they are.

They drove 58 yards in eight plays, scoring on a 33-yard run by Michael Stubbs. Senior quarterback Damian Bouie showed a lot of poise as he drove the team down the field.

Bouie, his fellow senior quarterback Cameron McDowell, who started, and junior quarterback Preston Norris all ran the offense well.

McDowell, who had touchdown runs of 45 and 3 yards, is among the Bearcats’ most versatile players this season.

Friday night, he played three different positions and played them all well. He moved to wide receiver and caught a pass for 13 yards and broke up passes in the defensive secondary. He also intercepted a pass and returned it 27 yards, and returned a punt for 13 yards.

What the Bearcats must do now is put Friday night’s big win, which clinched third place in Region 1-AAAAA, behind them and get ready for this Friday night’s first round State Class AAAAA playoff game against the Union Grove High School Wolverines, the second seed in Region 4-AAAAA, at 7:30 p.m. in McDonough.

Coach Ed Pilcher’s Bearcats have had an excellent season and they deserve the support of all Decatur Countians.

I urge many local fans to take the Friday trip to McDonough and cheer the Bearcats on to a big first round playoff victory.

I know it’s a long trip, but the Bearcats work hard every day in practice and they deserve all of our support.

They are our kids and they bring a lot of positive publicity to Bainbridge and Decatur County Friday night after Friday night. The games are always well-played and exciting.