Coach Ed Pilcher, who I respect greatly, and his Bainbridge High School Bearcats football team, have struggled this year, but they have played hard week in and week out.

They played that way again this past Saturday night during a heartbreaking 31-28 loss to the Warner Robins High School Demons in Warner Robins.

I know it is frustrating right now for Coach Pilcher, his coaching staff and the players, but they can hold their heads up knowing they have given their all on the field.

Their last three Region 1AAAA losses have come by a combined total of just 11 points. With a break here or there, the Bearcats could have won all three.

I thought the offense moved the football extremely well Saturday night against the Demons in Warner Robins.

Leading the way were quarterback Steven Bench, who led all Bearcat rushers with 22 carries for 113 yards, a 5.1 yards per carry average and a 10-yard touchdown run. He also threw a 10-yard touchdown pass to Shawn Samuels.

Also having big nights on the ground were Damian Bouie—with 12 carries for 51 yards, a 4.3 yards per carry average and touchdown runs of five and two yards—and Aaron Hall, who had six carries for 49 yards and an 8.2 yards per carry average.

Offense, defense and special teams are all vital parts of a football team, and Coach Pilcher has often emphasized to me that the Bearcats win as a team and lose as a team.

Injuries are a part of the game and unfortunately the Bearcats lost two starters for the final two games of the season this past Friday night.

Senior starting safety Rohan Gaines, who also plays wide receiver, and sophomore starting offensive lineman Andrzej Jeglinski both had their seasons ended by injuries.

The injury to Gaines was by far the most serious. He suffered two ruptured blood vessels on a hard hit after pulling in a fourth quarter pass. Gaines had to undergo emergency surgery and remain in Warner Robins for a few days. Jeglinski suffered a dislocated shoulder.

With a 3-5 overall record and 1-4 Region 1AAAA mark, the Bearcats are out of the playoffs picture, but they can still play spoiler with victories the next weeks. They play this Friday against the Lee County High School Trojans at Centennial Field and on Friday, Nov. 5 against the Thomas County Central High School Yellow Jackets at Central’s Jackets’ Nest Stadium.

Congratulations to Bearcats senior defensive back and kickoff and punt returner Shawn Samuels on being selected homecoming king by his fellow students for Friday night’s homecoming game against Lee County.

Come on out to Centennial Field Friday night and enjoy the game between the Bearcats and Lee County and all the homecoming festivities. Kickoff will be at 7:30 p.m.