By A.J. Watson

The Pike County Bulldogs gnawed their way to their first region win over the Montgomery Catholic Knights in a 47-34 romping.

Despite Catholic’s 424 yards of total offense, the Bulldogs ran all over the Knight defense with 339 run yards out of 391 total offensive yards.

Both teams traded jabs in the first quarter, each scoring on their first and second possessions to make it 14-14 with more than 6 minutes in the first half.

Eventually both teams lost steam, going 3 and out on their next possessions, but Pike County was able keep their stamina and score off a 12 yard Kamari Jackson touchdown run at the end of the first quarter.

Then Raheem Pearison did work.

Shortly after a Knight possession, Pearison broke off for an 85-yard touchdown run to make it a 28-14 ball game with 10:25 in the 2nd.

The Bulldogs were faced with a 4th and long situation, but Pike County head coach Fred Holland decided to go for it – he was not disappointed.

Pearison broke off for a 28-yard touchdown run to put the Bulldogs up 35-14 with 6:30 in the second quarter.

Pearison would go on to score another two touchdowns on the night, leaving him with 236 total yards and four touchdowns, putting Pike County up 41-14.

“I just want to give my thanks to the line,” Pearison said. “They blocked very well. Coach always tells us that you win between the line, so we get our blocking down pat.”

The Knights remained silent for the rest of the second half and the 3rd quarter, but came out swinging in the fourth.

After starting from their own 38 the Knights crammed 7 points down the Bulldogs throats with 8:31 remaining in the game.

Both teams would struggle to find their offense, but eventually the Knights seemed desperate to go down with a fight, putting up 14 points in the last minute of the game to make it a 47-34 final.

Holland said they were happy to taste the fruits of their labor.

“It’s very big,” he said. “That was our first region win. We’ve been in some close ones and it’s good to be able to complete some of them.”

Holland said that their goals remain the same: to focus on getting better and let the results fall where the may.

“We still have two more (games), but we try to take it game by game,” Holland said. “We’re getting better… one thing I asked of the guys is to get better each week, and regardless of the outcome I feel like we are doing that.”