Every great Pike County team had one thing in common: a dominant running game.

Glen McLendon carried the load in the 1960’s, the 1980s saw Harry Vans and Steven Coleman slash through opposing defenses, Chris Nickson scrambled all over teams early in the new millennium and James Jackson rumbled his way to a pair of state titles a few years ago.

LaMarcus Adair rushed for over 1,000 yards last year, but he is long gone.

The Bulldogs are going to run the football again in 2014, but the offense will spread the love around.

The Batie brothers, Cory and Colby, have served as backs in the past. Timiron Thompkins carried the load when Adair struggled in 2013. Quarterback Jerrel Lawson will get his fair share of rush yards as well.

“We are going to be a committee back there,” head coach Fred Holland said. “LaMarcus was a great back, and no one guy will be able to do what he did. We like what the backs have been doing so far, and they will keep it up.”

The Bulldogs thrived in 2013 under new offensive coordinator Mike Waters.

Waters multiple offense philosophy kept opposing teams off balance, and helped the Bulldogs average 27 points per game, a full touchdown better than the previous year and 20 points higher than Pike County’s 2012 average.

But Holland knows that 2013 is in the past, and new challenge awaits his Bulldogs in 2014.

“We are concerning ourselves with what folks outside of this locker room are saying,” Holland said. “We are worried about Pike County and getting better every day. If we do that, everything else will be just fine.”

Pike County will meet Charles Henderson in the Pike County Classic August 22.