The offense, defense and special teams all contributed at critical times Friday night to help the Bainbridge High School Bearcats down the Cairo High School Syrupmakers, 17-14, at Centennial Field.

“Our offense made big plays when we needed them,” BHS Head Coach Ed Pilcher said. “I also thought tackle Tomarier Jackson and end Brandon Crawford did a good job on the defensive line.

“Damian Bouie’s late touchdown run behind some good offensive line blocks gave us the chance to tie the game, our defense made some big stops to help us get the ball back and our special teams got the job done on the tying extra point and winning field goal.”

Pilcher also talked about the  great contribution punt returner Cameron McDowell made to the win.

“Cameron’s returns gave us the field position to drive in for the tying touchdown and extra point and kick the winning field goal, and our punt return blockers gave him room to make some key cuts.

“Without those two returns we probably would have lost 14-7. We had two punt blocks, but they were not punter Paul Soden’s fault. The blockers in front of him just didn’t do their job.”

Pilcher also liked the poise his kicking team showed on the tying extra-point kick and winning field goal.

“To execute a place kick your long snapper, your holder and your kicker all have to be working in sync,” he said. “Long snapper Andrzej Jeglinski, holder Paul Soden and kicker Daniel Provence all did a great job on the tying extra point and winning field goal.”

Pilcher also praised offensive coordinator Leonard Guyton for his play calling.

“On our game winning field goal drive, two very big pass plays were instrumental,” he said. “I commend coach Guyton for calling those plays.”

Pilcher was referring to a 20-yard pass from quarterback Preston Norris to tight end Madison Malone and a 12-yard pass from Norris to wide receiver Greg Cooper.

Bainbridge’s next game is at Early County on Friday at 8 p.m.

 

By the numbers

Bainbridge      First Downs        Cairo

     5                                           11

32-97              Rushes Yards       31-37

45                    Passing Yards      129

4-3-0                Passes (ACi)         16-8-0

36-142             Total Yards           47-166

0-0                   Fumbles-Lost        5-1

7-50                 Penalties-Yards     8-45

7-27.6               Punts-Avg.            5-33.0

 

Bainbridge Individual Statistics

 

Rushing: Preston Norris 10-44; Damian Bouie 10-28, 1 TD; Terry Lewis 9-25. 1 TD.

Receiving: Greg Cooper 2-25, Madison Malone, 1-20.

Kickoff Returns: Greg Cooper 1-17; Cameron McDowell 1-7.

Punt Returns: Cameron McDowell 2-78; Victor Bodison 1-0.