Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

The Pike County Bulldogs (1-2, 1-1) lost a Class 4A, Region 2 matchup with the Opp Bobcats (3-0, 2-0) on Friday, Sept. 13, by a score of 16-0.

The Bulldogs struggled to move the ball all night, tallying just 76 total yards. Pike County also turned the ball over twice, gave up two sacks and gave up a safety.

Pike County started the game off by forcing a fumble on the opening kickoff, getting the ball deep in Opp territory. The Bulldogs, though, would turn the ball over on downs in the Bobcat red-zone. The Pike County defense gave the ball right back to the Dawg offense, however, as Khalil Foster intercepted a tipped pass. Pike County was unable to capitalize and gave it right back just two plays later, on an interception in the end-zone.

The turnover barrage continued as Foster intercepted another Opp pass on the ensuing Bobcat possession. Four plays later, PCHS attempted a 30-yard field goal but it traveled wide right with 1:11 left in the first quarter. Opp turned the ball over on downs as the second quarter began and the two sides exchanged punts for the remainder of the first half, with the two going into the locker room scoreless at halftime.

As the third quarter began, a Pike County mistake doomed the Bulldogs. A “Dawg” bobbled the opening kickoff and Pike County had the ball at its own 2-yard line. A few plays later, a Bulldog was dragged down in the end zone for a safety to give Opp a 2-0 lead, breaking the scoreless tie.

On Opp’s ensuing possession, the Bobcats marched on a 7-play drive that Justice Baldwin capped off with a 26-yard touchdown pass to Orienthal Hines with 7:38 left in the third quarter. Opp converted a two-point try and took a 10-0 lead. Neither side managed to get back into scoring position for the remainder of the third quarter.

In the fourth quarter, Pike County’s offense continued to struggle as Opp added to its lead with a 6-yard touchdown run, capping off an 11-play, 60-yard drive. The two-point try failed and Opp took a 16-0 lead.

In the second half, Pike County earned just 37 yards of offense and the Bulldogs’ only drive that marched into Opp territory – late in the fourth quarter – ended in another interception.

For the game, Opp amassed 262 yards of offense, while holding Pike County to just 76 yards. Pike County was penalized four times for 36 yards and Opp was penalized eight times for 81 yards. Opp turned the ball over three times.

Braylin Jackson led the Pike County offense with 48 yards on 14 carries, while Kamarian Toney and Ben Patterson both earned six tackles on defense. Toney also earned a tackle-for-loss. Que Carter earned four tackles, a tackle-for-loss and a sack. Foster tallied three tackles and two interceptions. Foster has intercepted four passes in the last two weeks.

Pike County will look to try and get back on track next Friday, Sept. 20, at home against Ashford.