By Brandon O’Connor

Reporter

The 2016 Bearcats were well represented on the All-Region teams for Region 1-AAAAA following a second place finish in the region.

Senior linebacker Kerenski Williams received the top honors and was named region defensive player of the year.  He led the team with 84 tackles including 16 for loss.  Williams also had five fumble recoveries, including one that he returned for a key touchdown in Bainbridge’s 13-0 victory over Harris County to clinch a playoff berth.

Dameon Pierce and Christian Glover were named first-team All-Region on offense for the second straight season. On defense, defensive back Zyon McGee and Lerone Broadnax were named to the first-team.

Pierce overcame a nagging ankle injury to lead the Bearcats with 1686 yards on 243 carries for an average of 6.9 yard-per-carry. He was also the team’s leading receiver with 248 yards on 20 receptions. He also scored 21 of the team’s 30 offensive touchdowns on the season, 20 on the ground and one through the air. Glover was a stalwart on the offensive line starting at left guard for the majority of the season.

McGee started the season as a wide receiver before finding his place as a safety on becoming one of the keys to the Bearcats defense. He tied for the team lead with two interception, including one that he returned for a touchdown against Whitewater, and led the team with eight pass breakups.

Broadnax was third on the team with 61 tackles including three for loss and was tied with McGee for the team lead in interceptions.

Malique Pate, Martavious Flowers, Donovan McCray and Clark Wiggins were all named to the second team. Pate was named the all-purpose player on the second team for his contributions as a fullback and tailback. Flowers served as the team’s starting defensive tackle and finished the season with 30 tackles.

McCray was the Bearcats’ second leading tackler with 62, including eight for loss. He was also third on the team with 1.5 sacks and 6.5 total quarterback pressures. 

Wiggins was named the second team punter after averaging 33.1 yards per punt on 46 points.

The Bearcats finished the season 5-6 overall and were eliminated in the second around of the state playoffs by Rome.