Bearcat Nation let out a cry of victory Friday night, and for good reason.

Bainbridge beat the Westover Patriots 42-7 on Homecoming, lifting the team to 9-0 on the season and punching their ticket to the Region 1-AAAA Championship game next week.

Sophomore running back Dameon Pierce rushed for 206 yards on 18 carries and scored five touchdowns to give the Bearcats more than enough cushion to hold off the Patriots (2-6).

“I just got out and contributed the way I could,” a smiling Pierce said.

Pierce couldn’t be stopped by Westover’s defense as he dashed, stiff-armed and snuck into the end zone time after time.

“He’s a special player,” Bainbridge coach Jeff Littleton said. “He works hard every day, and the offensive line and the receivers work hard blocking every day. It’s just an accumulation of work and effort.”

Senior wide receiver Tyler Story also had a big night with seven receptions, 143 yards and a touchdown of his own, a 52-yard sprint that ended with him diving to tag the front pylon for the score.

Junior quarterback Brett McLaughlin was 9-of-15 passing for 172 yards.

Bainbridge’s first two series of the game accumulated to nothing, which Littleton attributed to coming out a little too slow.

“We were a little sluggish there to start with in the first quarter,” Littleton said. “Our focus wasn’t there. I don’t know why. We just came out a little flat. But we refocused there and got things going.”

With 1:58 left in the first quarter, Bainbridge scored on a 20-yard touchdown from Pierce, followed by a point after attempt from kicker Blake Green to make the score 7-0.

Pierce scored again on the Bearcats next three possessions. By halftime, Bainbridge was up 28-0 with 145 yards under Pierce’s belt.

Story’s score came with 7:51 left in the third quarter. As he dove for the end zone, a Westover defender collided with Story to try and prevent the touchdown. Story was down for a minutes before being helped back up and returning to the sideline. He returned to play on the next series.

Westover’s touchdown game with 2:38 left in the third quarter on a 19-yard pass play from quarterback Emory McKenzie to Ervin Bush to make the sore 35-7.

Pierce immediately answered with his fifth touchdown on the next series, a 5-yard scamper into the end zone to make the score 42-7 with a second left in the third.

The game clock ran without stopping for the entire fourth quarter.

The Bearcats held the Patriots to just over 230 yards of total offense.

“I thought we did well defensively,” Littleton said. “We were disciplined. Each person did their job and got after it. Offensively we took what they gave us.”

Next Friday, Bainbridge represents the No. 1 team in Sub-Region B as they travel to Cairo (5-4), the winner of Sub-Region A, for the Region Championship. The second week of the season, the Bearcats defeated the Syrupmakers 21-7 at Cairo, but Littleton stressed the team has improved since that game.

“Cairo is a good football team,” he said. “They have improved throughout the year. It’s going to take us focusing on them and bringing our A-game to that field next Friday. We are going to need to have a good week of practice.”

Kick off is at 7:30 p.m. at Cairo.