Two touchdown runs by quarterback Sam Boutwell led coach Heith Maxwell’s Bainbridge Middle School eighth grade Bearcats to a 16-8 victory Thursday over the home standing Thomas County Central Middle School eighth grade Yellow Jackets.

The win improved the eighth grade Bearcats overall record to 2-0.

Boutwell ran 11 yards for a touchdown with 4:44 left in the first quarter to culminate a five-play 64-yard drive, then ran up the middle for the two point conversion giving the Bearcats an 8-0 lead.

With just nine seconds left in the second quarter, Boutwell scored on a quarterback sneak, and then ran around the right side for the 2-point conversion, giving the Bearcats their final 16-0 advantage. Running back Artez Moore got the drive started when he ran off right tackle for 31 yards from the 2 to the 33.

Later in the drive following an 18-yard run by Boutwell, Moore ran 31 yards from the Yellow Jackets 35 to the Yellow Jackets 4. Two plays later Artez Moore ran a sweep around the right side for the two point conversion giving the Bearcats a 16-0 lead.

With 1:43 left in the fourth quarter a Yellow Jackets wide receiver caught a 26 yard touchdown pass to culminate an eight-play, 75-yard drive They ran in for the 2-point conversion to make it 16-8.

Coach Maxwell said he thought his team played hard and well but he was a little   concerned with their penalty yardage.

“We had two more first half touchdowns called back on penalties”, he said. “We have got to be more disciplined. Penalties are costing us, not only touchdowns, but also first downs.”

They will have an open date next week and return to action Thursday, Sept. 17, when they host Cairo’s Washington Middle School eighth grade Tigers at Centennial Field.