The Bainbridge Middle School eighth grade Bearcats football team opened their season with a 14-8 Thursday victory over the Thomas County Central Middle School eighth grade Yellow Jackets at Central’s Jackets Nest Stadium.

The Bearcats took an 8-0 lead in the second quarter when quarterback Tyree Crump threw a 40-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Elijah Tyler and running back Elsamar Williams took a direct snap and ran for the two-point conversion.

In the third quarter, the Yellow Jackets’ quarterback ran 10 yards for a touchdown, then ran a keeper off the left side for the two-point conversion to tie the game.

In the fourth quarter,  Crump and Tyler connected again, this time on a 45-yard touchdown pass that put the Bearcats up 14-8.

Crump tried to run in for the two-point conversion but was stopped short.

Coach Scott Starr was pleased with his eighth-grade Bearcats’ defensive effort.

“Our defense played well the entire game,” Starr said. “Central drove to our 15-yard-line in the fourth quarter, but we made a strong stand against them.”