There have been a lot of highlights early in the Bainbridge High School Bearcats football season,

Coach Ed Pilcher’s team, which had an open date last night, is 2-1 on the season and have gotten better every week.

They are improving in all areas of the game, including special teams.

Senior defensive back and punt and kickoff returner Shawn Samuels is a threat to go all the way every time he touches the football.

In the Bearcats 35-15 Friday, Oct. 10 victory over Albany’s Westover High School Patriots at Centennial Field, Samuels returned the second half touchdown 93 yards for a touchdown.

A week earlier, Samuels returned another kickoff 93 yards for a touchdown against the Cairo High School Syrupmakers that was nullified by a penalty.

Samuels is also an outstanding punt returner, but his chances for a return have been few because opponents have smartly punted away from him.

The defensive secondary, with Samuels and senior Rohan Gaines leading the way,   have defended the pass extremely well.

Junior running back Aaron Hall, who has  good speed and moves, had a big night against Westover. He carried the ball 16 times, picked up 103 yards, and scored two touchdowns.

The offensive line, led by senior Jim Griffin at tackle and senior Kyle McMillan at center, have done a good job opening holes for the running back s and protecting junior quarterback Steven Bench who runs and passes the football out of the Bearcats split back veer offense very well.

Last night’s open date could not have come at a better time. This coming Friday night the Northside Warner Robins High School Eagles, the number one ranked State Class AAAA team in the state will be visiting Centennial Field.

Kickoff will be at 7:30 p.m. and I urge Bearcats fans to fill the home side stands to capacity and let the team know we are proud of them and their strong early season play.

To be successful in football at any level,  you must have a good offense, a good defense, and good special teams and the Bearcats work hard to be strong in all three areas each week.

While we all might have different favorite college and professional teams, there is one thing all Decatur Countians can agree on.

It is simply this. The Bearcats are our kids and we are all behind them 100 percent. We are fortunate to have coach Pilcher, who BHS Principal Tommie Howell has described as possibly the most respected high school football coach in the state of Georgia, leading our young football team.

He and his staff are all great role models for the young men.

High school athletes are not on full college athletic scholarships or making millions of dollars in professional sports. They are rather outstanding young men playing for the honor of their school, their city and their county.