[singlepic id=6312 w=300 h=262 float=left]Bainbridge High School Bearcats receivers coach Larry Cosby liked the way his receivers ran routes and caught the football during Wednesday’s passing camp with the Thomasville High School Bulldogs at BHS’ on-campus practice field.

“Junior wide receiver A.J. Miller caught three touchdown passes and really looked good,” Coach Cosby said.

The Bearcats’ only returning starting wide receiver is senior Rashad Kelly.

“He ran some good routes against Thomasville’s defense and I look for him to have another good season,” Cosby said.

Coach Cosby also liked the effort of junior wide receiver Octavious Breedlove, who got open for a few throws.

“Overall I thought all off of our receivers did a good job against Thomasville,” Coach Cosby said. “Senior quarterback Quincy Fortson and sophomore quarterback Preston Norris both also threw the ball well.”

[singlepic id=6302 w=300 h=244 float=left]Fortson played wide receiver and defensive back as a junior last season.

The passing camp gave Bearcats head Coach Ed Pilcher, offensive coordinator Leonard Guyton, who was quarterback on Coach Pilcher’s 1994, 1996 and 1997 State Class AAAA championship teams at Thomas County Central High School, and Coach Cosby an opportunity to evaluate the progress of their quarterbacks, receivers and defensive backs.

While teams—like the Bearcats—that operate out of the split back veer offense , don’t throw often; when they do, it is usually successful because opposing defenses are not expecting it.

Running backs Aaron Hall, a senior, and Damian Bouie, a junior, also took part in the passing camp. Along with junior running back Terry Lewis, the Bearcats look to have a very strong, versatile backfield.

Hall said his injured hamstring, which limited his participation in spring practice, has healed well. With his explosive open-field rushing, he was the Bearcats’ leading touchdown scorer last season.

[singlepic id=6122 w=300 h=297 float=right]Defensively, while the Bearcats lost several key starters to graduation, they seem to be more unified and focused than in past seasons and had several interceptions and pass breakups on Tuesday morning.

While they were not taking part in the passing camp, Bearcat kickers Daniel Provence and Paul Soden were also practicing in the mid-morning heat.

With the departure of experienced place-holder Steven Bench to Cairo, as well as Norris’ hand injury last season, Provence is working with junior wide receiver/defensive back Cam McDowell as his place-holder. Provence, who had to step up big time after kicker Keenan Adams was injured in the second game last year, has matured and gained more experience, so he should be solid for the Bearcats’ kick-offs and field goal attempts this season.

Freshman Paul Soden may get to handle the Bearcats’ punting, taking some of the load off Provence.

The Bearcats’ varsity squad begin their 2011 season on Friday, Aug. 26 at home against Class AA opponent Early County.

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