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The Bearcats headed to rival territory on Friday night, where they took on the Cairo Syrupmakers in the first region game of the season. After a slow start in the half, the Bearcats ultimately pulled out a win for the fifth year in a row 17-7.

With three minutes left in the first quarter, the Bearcats recovered a fumble by Cairo on Cairo’s 47-yard line.

The Cats were able to get 16 yards throughout four plays and ultimately opted for a field goal. Nick Tyre made the kick and it was good, giving the Bearcats a 3-0 lead.

Headed into the second quarter, Bainbridge turned over possessions on a missed field goal and gave the Syrupmakers the ball on their own 20-yard line.

With 6:21 left in the half, Cairo’s Amarian Byrden caught a 39-yard touchdown pass from Braylon Robinson . Landin Vickers made the kick, and it was good giving the Syrupmakers a 7-3 lead headed into halftime.

Coming out of the half, the Bearcats were determined to get a win.

They held Cairo to a mere 60-yards and seven yards rushing.

The Bearcats intercepted a Cairo pass early in the third quarter on Cairo’s 49-yard line.

With 6:22 left in the quarter, AJ Grant caught an 18-yard pass from Quarterback Bo Smith and ran it for a touchdown.

Blake Fagan made the kick and it was good.

The Bearcats now led 10-7.

Early in the fourth quarter, Zion Bouie made a nine-yard rushing touchdown with 10:50 left in the game to seal the win for the Bearcats. Tyre made the kick and it was good, ending the night with a 17-7 win.

Head Coach Jeff Littleton was proud of the win.

“I’m real proud of the kids and the coaches for the job they’ve done,” he lauded.

Highlights of the night included the Bearcats having 30 rushes for 163- yards.

Zion had 10 for 113- yards, while Travious Freeman had 8 for 25- yards, Smith with 5 for 14- yards, Keenan Phillips with five for 7- yards and Dontavious Broadnax with 2 for 2 -yards.

Smith had 10 completed passes for the night for a total of 101- yards.

On the receiving end, Antavious Murphy had seven receptions for 64-yards, while Grant had two for 31- yards and a touchdown. Deyon Bouie had one reception for six- yards.

He said he knew the competition was going to be tough.

“We knew it was going to be a hard fought, physical game and we were going to have to play four quarters,” he said. “They had a halftime lead on us, but we didn’t panic. We made some adjustments and kept with the game plan we had.”

The game plan included taking full advantage of any opportunity for an interception or fumble recovery.

Murphy and Zion both made an interception, while Davayon Stroud had a fumble recovery.

“It feels great to beat Cairo for the fifth year in a row,” Littleton said happily.

The Bearcats are now on to the next game/

They will play Dougherty at home for homecoming next Friday night at 7:30 p.m.