Columbus’s Hardaway Golden Hawks, the Bainbridge Bearcats’ opponent Friday at 7:30 p.m. at Centennial Field, have a multiple look on offense.

“Offensively, Hardaway will operate from a spread formation and also use a lot of I-formation,’ Bainbridge coach Ed Pilcher said. “Defensively, they will use both an eight- and nine-man front.”

In their 42-20 Region 1-AAAA road loss to the Thomas County Central Yellow Jackets on Friday, the Golden Hawks scored both on the ground and through the air.

James Triplett, a senior running back, ran 5 yards for a touchdown in the first quarter. Senior wide receiver Corey Lyles caught a 9-yard touchdown pass from junior quarterback Joseph Gibson in the third quarter.

Lyles and Gibson combined for a 39-yard touchdown pass in the fourth quarter.

Gibson had a strong season a year ago, accounting for more than 1,400 yards and 11 touchdowns. One of his favorite targets, when he drops back to throw, is senior wide receiver Albert Bemiss.

Another strong point for the Golden Hawks is the size and strength of their defensive line, which includes Alyrk Perry and Jerod Coleman, a pair of 2010 All-Region 1-AAAA honorable mention selections.

“Hardaway has not won a game but they have played some good teams close,” Pilcher said. “They are big along both the offensive and defensive lines.”

Hardaway defeated Bainbridge, 21-20, in their 2010 regular season meeting.