The Bainbridge Middle School Football teams split a couple of contests recently with the Washington Middle School Tigers from Cairo.

Washington defeated the 7th grade Bearcats 20-12 at Centennial Field last week, while the 8th grade Bearcats defeated the Tigers Wednesday at West Thomas Stadium in Cairo 34-12. 

In the 7th grade game Washington scored 20 first half points in route to the victory.

Washington took an 8-0 lead with 3:52 left in the first period following a 41 yard touchdown pass play down the left sideline, and a 2pt conversion pass reception.

In the 2nd quarter the Tigers sacked Bearcat Quarterback Daniel Pyles creating a Fumble that a Washington Defender pounced on at the Bainbridge 14 yard line.

On the next play the Washington Tailback scored off of left tackle to extend the lead at 14-0 with 4:36 left in the first half. The pass play for the 2pt point conversion was broken up by Bearcat Safety Cameron Scott.

The Bearcats responded with 2:11 left in the 2nd quarter as Bainbridge running back Tashun Carter weaved through the left side through several Tiger defenders and scored from 17 yards out on a sweep play.  The 2 point Conversion try failed and Bainbridge trailed 14-6.

With less than a minute to play a flurry of turnovers set up the final score of the half.

Bainbridge attempted a pass on their end of the field, but a Washington defender intercepted the ball and the Tigers had a first down at the Bainbridge 10.

But on the first play Carter, for Bainbridge, pressured the Washington quarterback, and hit his arm causing the ball to flutter downward into arms of Bainbridge Defensive Tackle Delvron Jackson for an interception deep in Bearcat territory.

Following a penalty on the Tigers the Bearcat had the ball on their 20 yard line with seconds to play,

Bainbridge attempted a toss sweep to the right,but on the toss an alert Tiger defender stepped between Bainbridge running back Thomas Brenton and Quarterback Scott intercepting the ball and scored from 8 yards out with 3 seconds left. The two point conversion failed and Washington led 20-6 at the half.

At the beginning of the 4th quarter Bainbridge mounted a comeback, with 7:20 to play, as Scott scored a touchdown from 1 yard out, but turnovers plagued the Bearcats, and despite shutting out the tigers the 2nd half could catch up and were defeated 20-12.

The 7th grade Bearcats drop to 1-3 on the season and travel to Thomas County next Wednesday..

In Cairo on Wednesday the Bearcat 8th grade squad erupted with three third quarter touchdowns in route to a 34-12 victory at West Thomas Stadium.

On Washingtons’ opening possession, in the first quarter, the Tiger quarterback fumbled the ball and Bearcat Linebacker Nick Tyre recovered at the Washington 19 yard line.

Bainbridge Running back Travious Freeman gained 17 yards on first down to the Tiger 2 yard line, before fellow back Javon Cox scored from 2 yards out. Freeman ran off left tackle for the two point conversion with 7:14 left in the opening stanza.

Bainbridge increased the lead with only six seconds left in the first half, as Freeman bulled his way into the endzone from 4 yards out. Cox’s conversion run failed, and the Bearcats led 14-0.

From the first play of scrimmage, to begin the third quarter, Cox scored again breaking free for an electric 63 yard touchdown run with 7:43 on the clock. Freemans 2pt conversion run extended the lead at 22-0.

On the ensuing possession the Tigers quarterback attempted to pass from his own 20 yard line, but Bainbridge Defensive Lineman Thomas Akins hurried the throw and Bearcat Safety AJ Grant intercepted and ran the ball back for a 27 yard touchdown. After the two point conversion attempt failed, Bainbridge led 28-0 with 6:48 left in the third quarter.

Bainbridge scored their final points of the quarter, and the game, with only 4 seconds left, as Freeman scored on a 25 yard run. The 2pt. conversion pass attempt from Quarterback Carson Lynn to Darius Mills came up inches short of the goal and failed making the score 34-0.

Late in the final stanza, Washington was able to cut into the lead by scoring two touchdowns on the Bainbridge reserves, from runs of 2 and 12 yards resulting in the final score of 34-12.

Bainbridge remains undefeated at 4-0 on the season and host Thomas County next Thursday at Centennial field.