By A.J. Watson

Pike County was toppled 28-23 as Slocomb sifted sands within the last few minutes of the Bulldogs homecoming game to gain their fourth region win of the year.

After a bulldog possession, the Red Tops drove down and sniffed the red zone only to be intercepted by freshman defensive back Cory Batie.

After a crucial Bulldog third down conversion, Batie would again become a crucial player after freshman quarterback Kamari Jackson linked up with him for a 72-yard touchdown pass to put the Bulldogs up 7-0 with three minutes left in the first quarter.

Pike County would recover after the ensuing kickoff but would punt it away after a successful fourth down conversion.

Slocomb would gain three consecutive first downs of over 20 yards to cram six points down the Bulldogs throats to make it 7-6 Pike County with 7:30 left in the first half.

Pike Count would respond with a series of first downs and a 54-yard pass from Kamari Jackson to sophomore T.J. Thompkins after the pocket crumbled to knock on the Slocomb 1 yard line.

Jackson would walk in the end zone to put the Bulldogs up 14-6 to shut the Red Tops down for the remainder of the half.

Jackson would be responsible for chalking up 257 yards and three touchdowns for the Bulldogs.

Slocomb came out swinging in the second half, and during the first play of the drive Red Top senior Robert Smith shredded the Bulldog defense with a 61-yard touchdown run.

The Red Tops would convert to put them up 14-14.

After a series of punts, Pike County would be successful on three third-down conversions and one-fourth down conversion to set junior Antonio Vaznaian up with a 22-yard field goal to make it a 17-14 game.

Slocomb would be quick to respond off a 36-yrd touchdown run by Robert Smith tp put the Red Tops up 22-17.

After another long drive, Kamari Jackson scored the Bulldogs final touchdown of the night with 2:47 left in the game. The score would stay 23-22 after an unsuccessful two-point conversion.

The Red Tops made large gains and scored off a 7-yard touchdown run by junior Slocomb quarterback Matt Hagler to give the Bulldogs a minute left in the game to answer.

After a series of incompletions, penalties and sacks, the Bulldogs were forced to surrender the pigskin.

“We had a good week of practice, good preparation … it was a hard fought game and I expected it to be as tough as it was – and it was a tough game,” Pike County head coach Fred Holland said. “The kids played hard. Slocomb did little bit better job than us at the end, as far as making the plays and staying in the game, but I’m proud of my team for fighting and doing the things they did.”

Grant said the expectations for next year will rise, especially given the fact only six seniors will be lost.

“We won’t lose very many people,” he said. “We’ll get in the weight room and get a little bit bigger and a little bit stronger and we’ll continue to learn and progress in the right way – the future is bright.”

Kamari Jackson agreed, saying he sees no quit in the Bulldogs.

“We were prepared, we just have to do better,” the freshman said. “I feel like we have gotten better each week. Next season – we’re looking at going to the championship.”