The Bainbridge eighth-grade Bearcats lost 24-12 to the Providence Christian School eighth-grade Eagles Thursday in Dothan, Ala.

The Bearcats scored in the second quarter when running back Greg Cooper ran 5 yards for a touchdown culminating a 65-yard drive and cutting a 16-0 Eagles’ lead to 16-6. Brent Noble tried to run a sweep around the right side for the two-point conversion, but was stopped just short of the goal line.

The Eagles built their 16-0 advantage in the first quarter with two touchdowns and two two-point conversions. The touchdowns came on short runs from inside the Bearcats’ 5-yard line following long drives of between 60 and 70 yards. They ran in for the two-point conversions.

The Eagles’ final touchdown, coming on a 16-yard run, occurred just before half-time. They again ran in for the two-point conversion. The Bearcats defense then tightened up and held the Eagles scoreless in the second half.

The Bearcats final touchdown, a 2-yard run by running back Terry Reynolds, came on the first play of the fourth quarter. Quarterback Pristine Norms tried to get in for the two-point conversion on an option run off the right side, but was stopped just short of the goal line.

Later in the fourth quarter, Noble broke loose and ran 95 yards for an apparent touchdown, but he stepped out of bounds around the Eagles 35-yard line.

Bearcats eighth-grade football coordinator Scott Starr said he thought his offensive unit played well against Providence.

“Greg Cooper, Terry Reynolds, Preston Norris and Brent Noble all played well, and the offense moved the ball with some consistency,” Starr said Wednesday morning.

The Bearcats, who are 1-5, will complete their season next Thursday, Oct. 15, when they play Thomasville’s McIntyre Park Middle School eighth-grade Bulldogs at Thomasville High School’s Veterans Memorial Stadium. Kickoff will be at 5 p.m.