Bainbridge fighting to win out, claim third in region
Published 3:45 pm Tuesday, October 29, 2019
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With two games left in the regular season, Bainbridge is gunning to win out and finish third in Region 1-AAAAA.
After a heartbreaking, rain-soaked 28-21 loss to Warner Robins last Friday night at home and a road loss at Veterans three weeks ago, the Bearcats are eager to turn it around right here at the end of the season. The first test will be Harris County (5-4, 1-2 Region) this Friday.
“You got to get there and be playing at your best toward the end,” said Littleton. “I feel like we have been playing better every week. I expect us to go to Harris County and match their intensity and challenge them in a good football game.”
Bainbridge (5-3, 0-2 Region) turned the ball over too many times against the Demons last week, said Littleton. But what Bainbridge did well was converting key first downs and moving the ball on offense. The bye week before the Warner Robins game helped the team gain some efficiency, in that regard.
“We made some key runs, catches and throws that kept the ball moving,” said Littleton. “We just ended up making a mistake and turning the ball over a couple of times. We have to be able to extend those drives and make some more explosive plays. Warner Robins kind of kept everything in front of them. We weren’t able to get over the top of them any or make any major long runs. They had the big plays on offense and we didn’t. That was kind of the difference in the game.”
The Bearcats will face a similar style offense Friday against the Tigers: a spread attack that opens up the run game. Harris County has scored at least 23 points every game they have played this season, reaching a season-high 62 points against Northside (Columbus) on Sept. 27. Last Friday, Harris County beat Thomas County Central 28-20 on the road.
“They are really explosive offensively,” said Littleton. “They can run it and throw it. The have been scoring a lot of points. We’ll be challenged to slow down their offense.”
Quarterback Cooper Corey has 1,204 passing yards and 15 touchdowns on the season. His biggest targets are a trio of senior receivers: Tailique Williams (581 yards, 8 TD), Jarrell Smith (548 yards, 5 TD), and Nick Marien (202 yards, 3 TD).
On the ground, Xavier Richmond leads the team in rushing with 697 yards and 5 touchdowns.
Defensively, The Tigers line up in a four-man front.
“They play sort of an eight-man defense with cover 3 and cover 1,” said Littleton.
Harris County’s game against Bainbridge will be the last game of the regular season for the Tigers. The game winner will determine who finishes in third place in the region. Kickoff is at 7:30 p.m. at Harris County High School in Hamilton.