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In the most highly anticipated region game of the season, the Bearcats faced off against TCC on Friday night for the Region 1-AAAA Championship. On a mission to get two region championships in a row, the Bearcats came out victorious 38-21.

The TCC Yellow Jackets started off strong, making the first touchdown of the night.

Samuel Brown threw a 43-yard touchdown pass to Adam Hopkins with 3:49 left in the first quarter.

Campbell Smith made the extra point.

Minutes later, the Bearcats a 69-yard drive over five plays.

Dontavious Broadnax then made a 1-yard run for a touchdown with 1:52 left in the quarter.

Blake Fagan made the extra point.

Headed into the second quarter, the Bearcats and Yellow Jackets were tied, but not for long.

With 9:32 left in the second quarter, AJ Grant caught a 33-yard touchdown pass from Bo Smith

Nick Tyre made the extra point.

Up by one touchdown, the Bearcats made another huge play.

With 3:38 left in the half, Zye Chrispen caught a 58-yard touchdown pass from Smith.

Fagan made the extra point.

The Yellow Jackets then did the unthinkable tying up the score again in a matter of minutes.

Tray Huewitt had a 93-yard kick return with 3:24 left in the half.

Smith made the extra point.

The Bearcats then took possession of the ball, but Kendarious Reddick made a 38-yard Interception return and Smith made the extra point.

With the score tied, the players returned to the locker room, formulating a game plan.

“It’s a testament to our players and coaches for not hanging their heads,” Head Coach Jeff Littleton said. “We came out the second half and shut them out defensively and scored 17 points on them.”

Tyre made a 23-yard field goal in the third quarter with 6:04 left in the quarter, putting the Bearcats ahead 24-21.

The Bearcats continued to claw their way back, with Deyon Bouie catching a 34-yard touchdown pass from Smith with 52 seconds left in the third quarter. Fagan made the extra point, putting the Bearcats up 31-21.

It all came down to the fourth quarter, when Broadnax made a 3-yard run with 2:56 left in the game. Tyre made the extra point, ending the game 38-21.

Individual highlights included Keenan Phillips having 20 carries for 113 yards and Broadnax having six carries for 22 yards.

Smith completed 12 passes for a total of 227 yards and three touchdowns.

Bouie had three receptions for 79 yards, while Chrispen had 3 receptions for 77 yards, Murphy had three receptions for 27 yards and Grant had two for 41 yards.

Additionally, Zion Bouie had one fumble return.

Littleton was proud of the win, especially the players and coaches who put forth so much effort into Friday’s game.

“I want to thank the administration and our fans, it takes everybody to do this,” he said. “That makes two (Region championships) in a row and that’s pretty special for everybody in Decatur County, but especially the players and coaches.”

With a region championship under their belt, the Bearcats still have region foe Monroe to face off against next week.

The following week will begin State Playoffs, where the Bearcats will host at home.