editorial4@thomastontimes.com

“The game was a lot closer than the score.” That is the old cliche used in sports, but after the Knights’ game against Bainbridge on Friday, the old cliche may be said again.

The Bearcats of Bainbridge High School used a couple of long passes and one key defensive play to knock off Upson-Lee 24-7 in Bainbirdge on Friday night.

“They made some big plays,” said Knights’ head coach Tommy Watson. “I thought our defense played pretty well for the most part, but the big play is what hurt us tonight.”

After a three hour bus ride the Knights started the game off with the ball on their own 30 yard line. The Knights were able to use their running attack to penetrate the Bearcats 38 yard line, but turned the ball over on downs after being stopped a few inches shy of the first down marker.

The Bearcats received a great performance from wideout Melzie Johnson. Johnson had two big receptions on their first drive of the game. The Bearcats pushed the ball all the way down to the Knights’ 1 yard line.

Bainbridge quarterback Rohan Gaines dove over the goal line for the score. However, Gaines fumbled the ball, and it was picked up by the Knights’ Donterrius Harris. Harris was headed towards the Knights' endzone, but the referee had blown the play dead, declaring that the ball crossed the plane of the goal line. The Bearcats were awarded the TD, and after the PAT was good, the score was 7-0.

The Knights fought back on their next drive, with just under 3:00 left in the first quarter.

The Knights drove 80 yards in 9 plays for their first and only touchdown of the game. Junior running back Montae Skelton had several key runs on the drive, including his 17 yard TD run. After Luke Paul booted his PAT, the scored was tied 7-7.

The Bearcats retained possession after a huge return on special teams. With 11:00 left in the first half the Bearcats started their drive on the Knights’ 45 yard line. The Knights defense answered the call, forcing the Bearcats to punt.

The Knights took over on their own 9 yard line, but they too were forced to punt.

The next drive of the Bearcats would tell the story for the night. With the scored tied and the Bearcats facing a third and long, Gaines found his man Johnson again for another big reception of 29 yards.

The Knights were unable to keep the Bearcats out of the endzone, as the Bearcats running back ran the ball in for a 7 yard TD. After the PAT was good, the score was 14-7.

The Knights took a hard hit as a team on the next drive. junior middle linebacker and tight-end Logan Winkles was helped off the field with an apparent leg injury. Winkles did not return in the game.

With 3:31 remaining before the half, the Knights took over on offense. On the second play of the drive, sophomore quarterback Jairus Hollman and senior running back Dare Coker were not on the same page. Hollman’s pitch to Coker fell to the ground, and was picked up and returned for a TD by a Bearcat defender. After the PAT, the score was 21-7.

Bainbridge came out after half-time looking to put the Knights’ away. However, sloppy play by the Bearcats led to several fumbles in the game but, the rainy conditions caused problems for the Knights as well.

The Bearcats would add a late field goal, but neither team could mount much offense. The win pushed the Bearcats record to (5-2, 4-2). The Knights fall to (2-6, 2-4), as they will head to Hamilton next Friday night to play the Harris County Tigers.