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The Pike County Bulldogs (2-3, 2-1) are back at home this Friday, Oct. 4, for a Class 4A, Region 2 game with the Daleville Warhawks (0-5, 0-3).

This matchup is the start of a four-game region stretch for the Bulldogs, who will play Daleville, Straughn, Dale County and New Brockton in four straight region games to close out the regular season.

The Bulldogs are coming off a frustrating 24-17 loss to Class 5A Carroll in Ozark last Friday, while Daleville is coming off a 35-12 loss to Wicksburg last week. Daleville also holds losses to Opp, New Brockton, Florala and Straughn this season.

Against Carroll, Pike County gave itself a chance late, marching inside the Eagle 5-yard line with under a minute remaining, but the Bulldogs lost 25 yards on back-to-back plays and were then intercepted in the end zone to seal the loss.

“We’re really, really young,” PCHS Coach Mark Hurt said. “We started an eighth grader and ninth grader on the (offensive) line because we had some guys out with (illness) and injuries. Given the circumstances, I thought we played well. I think we gave up too many big plays on defense, which was a big problem.

“A the end of the day, with 40 seconds on the clock, we got down to the 3-yard line with a chance to tie it up or win it but we came up a little short. We just have to keep improving and getting better each week.”

Pike County totaled 273 yards against Carroll with just 19 yards on the ground, while the Eagles amassed 375 total yards. A’zhoree Eutsey completed 16-of-29 passes for 254 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions. He also rushed for a touchdown. Khalil Foster caught six passes for 89 yards and a score. Que Carter also caught three passes for 80 yards.

Ben Patterson led the Bulldog defense with nine tackles and a tackle-for-loss, while Carter recorded four tackles and 2.5 tackles-for-loss.

Pike County is 18-11 all-time against Daleville, including back-to-back wins in 2023 and 2022 by a combined score of 112-12.

“They can throw the ball a little bit. They haven’t had a lot of success and have a new coach this year,” Hurt said of Daleville. “He’s a good coach and you can’t take any team lightly, especially when you’re in a situation like we are with the inexperience we have. I like our chances but I think it will be a tough game.”

Hurt said that he is looking to his team to fix all the small things, which plagued the Bulldogs against Carroll.

“I want them to play with a lot of effort and correct those small issues,” he continued. “We have to pay attention to the details, stop making mistakes in crucial situations. We were down in the red zone early in the game and had to settle for a field goal because we wanted to try and make them jump for a first down.

“We got them to jump but one of our younger guys jumped, too. It’s those little things like that, paying attention to detail and learning how to play in the moment. That’s what I’m looking for this week.”

Pike County will host Daleville at 7 p.m. on Oct. 4.