The Bainbridge High School junior varsity Bearcats dropped a 22-12 season opening decision to the Thomas County Central junior varsity Yellow Jackets Thursday at Centennial Field.

The Yellow Jackets went up 6-0 when quarterback Austin Bryant sneaked off the left side for a 1-yard touchdown with 1:40 left in the first quarter and Hunter Hinson kicked the extra point.

The score was set up by a Bryant 24-yard option run around the right side.

Yellow Jackets running back James Hutchinson ran 26 yards off the right side for a touchdown with 3:55 left in the first quarter and Bryant again kicked the extra point to put the Yellow Jackets ahead 14-0.

Bainbridge quarterback Preston Norris ran an option off the left side, broke into the open, and ran 35 yards for a touchdown late in the second quarter to pull within eight points, at 14-6. Tremain McCray tried to run in for the two-point conversion but was stopped short.

Central’s Shaquille Coleman ran 5 yards for a touchdown with 1:28 left in the game to increase the Yellow Jackets’ lead to 20-6.

The Yellow Jackets increased their advantage to 22-6 when Hinson caught a two-point conversion pass following an errant snap, as he was lined up to attempt the extra point kick.

The Bearcats scored their final touchdown, which cut the lead to the final score of 22-12, with just 9.1 seconds remaining in the game. It came on a 35-yard pass from Norris to wide receiver Vic Bodison. The two-point conversion attempt was no good.