The Pike County Bulldogs faced off this week against the Bobcats from Opp in front of a home crowd at Bulldog Stadium.

And while PCHS opened up to a slow start going three and out on their first two possessions, including a fourth and inches, and fumbling the ball on their third possession, the offense was able to right the ship.

After falling to Opp early on, the Bulldogs found the endzone in the second quarter as both teams traded blows through the rest of the game. Senior Quarterback Jerelle Bailey took the offense down the field at the start of the second, capping off the drive on a quarterback keep six-yard touchdown run with 9:42 left in the half.

The Bulldogs defense hit hard in the second quarter slowing down Opps’ movement on offense and allowing the PCHS offense to score again on a Bailey pass to Kendrick Jackson and converting the 2-point play to take the lead to 14-7.

The defense again held Opp in a crucial red zone stop to end the half and save the lead for the second half.

The third quarter opened up as the Bulldogs defense continued to roll, led by linebacker Deion Nickson, handing the Bobcats a three and out including a big sack by Lacori Mcguire.

PCHS took the ball over with 9:41 left in the game and drove down the field for yet another score by Jackson, this time a 15-yard catch. Putting the Bulldogs up 26-20, followed by a 2-point conversion run by Bailey to put Pike County up 28-20.

Opp answered back with another touchdown run tying the game once again, 28-28 with 3:19 left.

The Bulldogs had two crucial plays to extend their final drive including a fourth and one run by Bailey and a fake punt run by Patterson to set up a game winning score with a few long passes down the sideline at the end of the fourth quarter but could not complete any, forcing overtime. As the fourth quarter ended, Bailey had thrown for three touchdowns, all going to Jackson, with close to 150 yards through the air and 64 yards rushing with one touchdown run on the game.

Pike County ended regulation with 15 first downs.

As overtime started Opp won the toss, electing to defer. The Bulldogs lined up at the 10-yard line with four chances to score. It only took three, as Bailey took the ball in for the scoring run as well as the successful 2-point conversion taking the lead to 36-28.

Opp tried to even the score but was stopped on 3 consecutive plays with the last down of the game resulting in a Bulldog interception in the end zone and the win.

Pike County left the game, spirits high, with a 5-1 record.