The Gold team posted a tight 13-6 victory over the Purple team Oct. 23 at Centennial Field to win the first-ever Bainbridge Leisure Services Department and Bainbridge-Decatur County YMCA 11- and 12-year-old youth football program Bearcat Bowl championship.

Fullback Tyrene Jones gave the Gold team an early 6-0 lead when he ran up the middle for a first-quarter touchdown from 10 yards out. Wide receiver Jarrick Porter ran a reverse around the right side for the conversion to increase the lead to 7-0.

Quarterback Henry Kelly Jr. threw an eight-yard touchdown pass to tight end Jakahri Mack in the second quarter to increase the Gold team lead to 13-0.

Mack tried to run a tight end reverse around the right side for the extra point, but the Purple team defense came up to stop him short.

The Purple team cut the lead to 13-6 when Brunt Noble ran a toss sweep around the right side for 80 yards and a touchdown.

Anderson Bailey forced a fumble with 23 seconds left to give the Purple team one more chance, but the Gold team was up to the challenge and came up to stop Noble twice and end the game.

Gold coach Cornelius Porter and Purple coach Greg Guy both said they thought their teams played well in the game, which was in doubt until the end.

Both mentioned several players they felt turned in strong defensive efforts in the game.

“I thought defensive back Grayson Heard, linebacker Ronald Quick and linebacker Tyler Braswell played well for us,” Porter said.

“Linebackers Colby Boyett and Hayden Guy and end Marquise Adams did a good job defensively for our team,” Guy added.