Coach Ed Pilcher liked the way his Bainbridge High School Bearcats football team tightened up their defense in the second half against the Lee County High School Trojans Friday night in Leesburg. Bainbridge won the game, 60-41, and clinched a spot in the Class AAAA playoffs.

“We gave up 34 points in the first half and were behind 34-26 at halftime,” the Bearcats head coach said. “We outscored them 34-7 in the second half to win 60-41.

“The defense kind of lost some focus and discipline in the first half  but we made the necessary adjustments at halftime. Offensively, senior quarterback Quincy Fortson, junior running backs Terry Lewis and Damian Bouie and senior running back Emmanuel Miller all ran the ball well.

“Our starting center, Cole Granato, who has played well all season, was out with a knee inquiry and Tate Griffin stepped up and did a good job. We are hoping to have Cole back this week.”

Coach Pilcher also commented on an incident in Friday’s game, which resulted in senior defensive tackle Shammai Wilburn getting ejected.

“First of all it was a good call,” he said. ‘On the film it looked like the Lee County player was hitting after the whistle, but put Shammai retaliated by putting his hands to his face.

“Shammai has done a great job for our defense all season, and we will miss him this week against Thomas County Central, but it was a good call.

“What we must do now is focus on our Friday night home Region 1-AAAA game with Thomas County Central.

“Although we have clinched a playoff spot with the win over Lee County, we have a chance to move up from fourth to third in Region 1-AAAA with a win Friday night.

“Statesboro and Ware County meet Friday night to decide the Region 2-AAAA championship. The loser of that game will play the winner of our game with Central, and the winner of that game will play the loser of our game with Central. Those games will be in the first round of the Class AAAA playoffs the following weekend, in either Statesboro or Waycross.”