Running back Aaron Hall ran for three touchdowns and quarterback Steven Bench ran for one and threw for another leading the Bainbridge High School Bearcats to a 35-14 Region 1AAAA victory over the Northside High School Patriots Saturday afternoon at Kinnett Stadium in Columbus.

The victory evened the Bearcats overall record at 3-3. They are 1-2 in Region 1AAAA and they will host the Houston County High School Bears in a Region 1AAAA game Friday at Centennial Field. Kickoff will be at 7:30 p.m.

Hall took a pitch from Bench and ran 35 yards around the left side for a touchdown with 7:14 left in the first quarter to culminate a five-play, 53-yard drive. Daniel Provence kicked the extra point to put the Bearcats up 7-0.

Key plays in the drive were a Bench option run off the right side for 11 yards and a first down at the Patriots 42-yard line, and a 6-yard Damian Bouie run to the 36.

Bench then ran an option left for five and a first down at the 31. After Bouie got 11 and a first down at the 20, the Bearcats were penalized 15 yards back to the 35. On the next play, Hall took the pitch from Bench and ran in for the touchdown.

Bench sneaked a yard for a touchdown with 2:23 left in the first quarter to culminate a six-play, 25-yard drive to give the Bearcats a 14-0 lead. The score was set up by a 33-yard punt return by Shawn Samuels.

Hall ran 17 yards for a touchdown with 10:44 left in the second quarter, and Provence kicked the extra point, to increase the Bearcats advantage to 21-0. The score was set up by a 35-yard pass from Bench to wide receiver Devonta Johnson from the Bearcats’ 48-yard line to the Patriots 17.

The Bearcats built their lead to 28-0 when Bench threw a 46-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Rohan Gaines with 9:11 left in the second quarter, and Provence kicked the extra point.

The Patriots first score, a 7-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Jalen Lacy to wingback Pat Smith, came with just 31 seconds showing on the second-quarter clock. Tyler McKay kicked the extra point and the first half ended with the Bearcats ahead 28-7.

The Patriots pulled to within 14, at 28-14, when Smith ran 55 yards for a touchdown and McKay kicked the extra point with 23 seconds left in the third quarter.

Hall ran eight yards for a touchdown with 2:22 left in the game to culminate a 14-play, 71-yard drive and Provence kicked the extra point to put the Bearcats’ final seven points of the game on the board.

Joe Crine can be reached by e-mail at joe.crine@thepostsearchlight.com, or by telephone at (229) 246-2827, Ext. 116.