Pike County High School found a way to turn what could have been a miserable start to the 2009 season into a moment of celebration against Carroll High School after a 19-18 overtime victory over Carroll High School.

After surrendering an early fourth quarter touchdown to the Eagles, the Bulldogs found themselves down by six points at 12-6.

However, PCHS senior quarterback Josh Parker had the answer his team was looking for.

With less than two minutes remaining in the game, Parker capped a 45-yard drive with a 19-yard run to the end zone that would tie the game, sending it into overtime.

In the extra period of play, PCHS spared little time thanks to senior running back Marquavous Knox who put the Bulldogs ahead for good with a 10-yard run to the end zone.

After Carroll scored on its overtime position, the Eagles failed to convert a two-point convertion, giving the PCHS the win.

“It feels great,” Knox said after the game.

“I couldn’t have done it without my teammates, they are the reason I had a great night.”

The senior finished with nine carries for 97 yards and a touchdown.

The win over Carroll ended the Eagles’ three game winning streak over the Bulldogs.

In the team’s group huddle following the game, first year PCHS Head Coach Eddie Stephenson told his team after the game this was a special win.

“There were a lot of guys who stepped up it up tonight,” the coach said. “The chips were down all night long, but we never quit and stepped it up in big situations. “I’m so proud of this team tonight,” the coach added. The regular season debut of the Bulldogs’ new hybrid wing-T offense resulted in an explosion on the ground as the PCHS finished the game with 270 yards rushing on 37 carries and 13 first downs.

Defensively, the Stephenson’s team was able to hold Carroll to 12 first downs and 212 total yards.

“There still is a lot of improvement that needs to be done,” Stephenson said. “A lot of our mistakes tonight are things that can be easily corrected, but these guys should be very proud of how they played tonight. The Bulldog defense was able to hold Carroll, despite several long drives including a 15 play, 67-yard drive that last nearly eight minutes in the second quarter. “It all came down to us really wanting to find a way to win,” Stephenson said.

“This is something that can build our confidence up for the remainder of the season. ,Parker echoed his coach’s statements by saying this was a statement win for his team. “This is a really great feeling [to get this win] after last week’s game,” the senior said.

“We kept fighting the entire night. We never stopped believing in ourselves and I think we should just what kind of a team we are.”

Park finished the game completing one of two passes for 30 yards and a touchdown and had 14 carries for 113 yards on the ground including the game-tying touchdown.

In the fourth quarter alone, Parker had seven carries for 46 yards.