While no one came right and said it, the overwhelming feeling surrounding the Pike County spring sports banquet was one of optimism.

The spring sports banquet Thursday night wrapped up what could be called a comeback year for nearly all Bulldog sports teams.

While just softball, baseball and track and field student athletes were honored Thursday, Pike County athletic director, and head football coach, Fred Holland said the entire year at Pike County was something to be proud of.

“Looking back at the entire school year, I feel that every one of our programs did quite well,” Holland said. “Our coaches did a fantastic job leading our young people as well. We are not a big school, so a lot of our student-athletes overlap in to multiple sports. All the kids did a wonderful job getting Pike County competitive again, and we look forward to building on that in the future.”

Pike County recognized the accomplishments of the softball, baseball and track and field teams Thursday evening.

The softball team advanced to the regional tournament in Gulf Shores for the second consecutive season, becoming the first team in school history to accomplish that feat.

Pike County’s baseball team made the Alabama High School Athletic Association playoffs for the first time in nearly a decade in 2014.

The Bulldog track and field team, led by head coach Mike Waters sent over a dozen members to the state meet.

“We are ready to not just make the playoffs anymore,” Holland said. “We have talented kids, hard-working coaches and most supportive administration in the state. We want to win state championships and I think that can, and will, happen.”