Bainbridge takes advantage of turnovers on way to record-scoring win over TCC
Published 11:16 pm Friday, October 20, 2017
In 53 matchups, Bainbridge or Thomas County Central have never scored more than 62 points against each other.
The Bearcats (6-2, 2-0 Region) broke that record Friday as they won 63-14 against the Yellow Jackets on Senior Night.
TCC (3-6, 1-2 Region) turned the ball over four times in the first half, each time deep in their own territory.
“We took advantage of every one of them,” Coach Jeff Littleton said about the fumbles. “Offensively we executed on pretty much everything we worked on in practice. I’m proud of that.”
Dameon Pierce had one of his biggest games of the season yet, rushing 15 times for 226 yards and four touchdowns. His longest was a 65-yarder down the far sideline, with Yellow Jacket defenders scrambling to catch up as he blasted toward the end zone.
Two freshmen running backs also added to the score, Caleb McDowell and Rashad Broadnax. McDowel’s touchdown was the third of the game, a 55-yarder that came with 4:51 left in the first quarter. Pierce added two more touchdowns before the quarter ended to make it 35-0 going into the second.
“We stayed confident and patient over the off week,” McDowell said. “We work hard every day of the week, no matter the situation. We worked our hearts out as a team.”
Markel Broadnax crossed the goal line on an 8-yard touchdown at the start of the second quarter to make the score 42-0. Safety Zyon McGee bumped it up to 49-0 when he recovered a fumble and took it in for a score.
Bainbridge allowed its first touchdown with 13 second left before halftime, at that point making the score 56-7. The Bearcats defense gave up only 143 yards, and only two yards in the first quarter as the offense kept driving up the score.
“The defensive tackles shut (TCC) down and the linebackers did the rest,” tackle Zion Andrews said. “We got through it.”
Quarterback Mark Loeffler had a touchdown pass to Adrian Cooper, a 7-yard floater caught in the corner of the end zone. Loeffler finished 5-of-8 for 85 yards.
Littleton and the players have all talked about practicing with focus over the past two weeks.
Despite being on a bye week, Bainbridge practiced as hard as they would during a game week.
“I’m excited about the way we practiced the past two weeks,” Littleton said. “We practice with a focus and an attitude of getting better and not just going through the motions.”
Bainbridge will host Harris County (4-4, 1-1 Region) next Friday at Centennial Field for Homecoming. Kickoff is at 7:30 p.m.