Giving up some of that Bearcat Pride is Buddy Bearcat, who under the costume is Will Bius. Bius and Sutton Reese are the new Bearcat Buddies after Josh Dykes graduated in May. During a pep rally Tuesday in Willis Park, a sizable crowd enjoyed games, cheers and camaraderie in preparation of Friday night’s Bainbridge High School game against its long-time rival, the Cairo High School Syrupmakers. With Buddy are BHS cheerleader Morgan Rogers, and receiving the high five is Abi Surratt, 6 years old. The rivalry between the Bearcats and Syrupmakers dates back to 1922, and Cairo leads the series with 30 wins to Bainbridge’s 26. There have been eight ties, and one game was never played, which was two years ago because of a tropical storm.