Bearcat football heads to Dothan Thursday

Published 10:32 am Wednesday, October 30, 2013

Hot off a two-game win streak, the 4-4 Bainbridge Bearcats head to Dothan, Ala., Thursday night to take on the Dothan High School Tigers and claim a victory on the road.

“They need a win to make the playoffs and then they need some help from some other (teams),” head coach Jeff Littleton said. “They’re going to be inspired to play so they can make playoffs. So we’re going to have to match their intensity and play well.”

Dothan, 6-3 this season, is a wide-open gun spread offense. Tiger quarterback Khiran Williams is known for running the ball and throwing when needed to a number of talented skills players. The offensive line is big and capable of blocking for Williams and giving him room to make plays.

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When asked what his players need to do to stop the Dothan offense, Littleton’s answer was the same it has been all year.

“We’re going to have to tackle well,” he said. “We’ve gotten better as far as our schemes and our alignment. Now we’ve just got to be disciplined and tackle better.”

The Tiger’s defense is an odd-front, where they run three down linemen and four linebackers. The 3-4 defense’s popularity has spread throughout Alabama high schools because the University of Alabama’s football team runs it.

Last Friday against Northside, the Bearcats were able to force turnovers when the Hawks were gaining momentum. Littleton gives credit for the interceptions to the front four doing their job.

“We had good pressure up front,” Littleton said, “and I think we’ve got some good skill players in the defensive backfield. Last week, most of those interceptions were caused by pressure up front. We’ve made an emphasis on that in the past two weeks, and I attribute that to the front four.”

Bearcat defensive end William Scurry was injured on the opening kickoff of the second half and was helped off the field. According to Littleton, Scurry went to the doctor Monday to get his hip examined.

Scurry is the only player who won’t be playing Thursday.

With two games left this season, Bearcat spirit is at a season high. Littleton’s goal is to head into playoffs healthy and prepared.

“We’re feeling really good,” Littleton said. “We’re just coming off a two game win streak and looking for an opportunity to continue to win. We’ve got a chance to finish the regular season with a winning record, and that’s something (the team) is striving toward.”