It has been a season 55 years in the making.

For the first time since 1960, the Bainbridge Bearcats are 8-0 after their 49-28 win over the Dougherty Trojans at Hugh Mills Stadium Friday night.

Sophomore running back Dameon Pierce broke the school record for touchdowns in a season with 23. He rushed for 196 yards on 21 carries and four touchdowns. Last week, he tied the record at 19, and erupted against the Trojans to secure the record.

Also breaking a record for Bainbridge was Tyler Story, who had seven catches for 159 yards. Story’s 50 catches on the season is the new school record

“Me being able to trust the line to help the quarterback to throw to me – it all comes together,” Story said about his record-breaking night. “I wouldn’t be able to do it without those guys.”

Junior quarterback Brett McLaughlin was 9-for-18 passing with 204 yards.

Pierce was the first to put points on the board with a two-yard run. Blake Green handled the extra point to make the score 7-0 with 10:03 left in the first quarter.

After a quick 3-and-out for Dougherty, Bainbridge scored again on a nine-yard pass from McLaughlin to Story to make the score 14-0. Pierce added his second touchdown with 2:49 to go in the first quarter to make the score 21-0.

The Bearcats punted on their next series, but a Dougherty fumble recovered by Bainbridge put them in scoring position again. Pierce busted into the end zone to make the score 28-0.

The Trojans put points on the board early in the second quarter with a 19-yard pass play to make the score 28-7.

Bainbridge answered with a touchdown pass from McLaughlin to wide receiver Zyon McGee to make the score 35-7. Running back Malique Pate scored on an 8-yard run just before halftime to make the score 42-7.

To start the second half, Bainbridge played its second string and allowed three touchdowns by the Trojans.

“We came out on fire, we executed the game plan offensively and defensively,” Bainbridge coach Jeff Littleton said. “The kids played their hearts out first half. We took our starters out the second half and Dougherty kind of made it interesting there in the second half.”

Bainbridge put its starters back in the game, and Dameon Pierce scored his fourth touchdown of the night on the first offensive series to make the score 49-28.

Bainbridge returns to action Friday, Oct. 30, against Westover at Centennial Field.