CHATOM – Washington County’s Tyrone Kidd returned Pike County’s onside kick 50 yards for a score with three minutes left to give the Bulldogs a 35-27 win Friday night in the first round of the 3A state playoffs.

Chris Mitchell returned a fumble 44 yards for a score, and Willie Turner, who ran for 130 yards on 22 carries, added a 15-yard scoring run for Washington County (9-2).

Caleb Beech scored on a 10-yard run and completed a 14-yard TD pass to Evan Moore.

Jerelle Bailey ran for 191 yards on 31 carries and scored on runs of 3, 4 and 7 yards and also caught a touchdown pass for Pike. Pike’s Anthony Griffin scored with 3:22 to go on a tipped Bailey pass from 15 yards out to cut the Bulldogs’ lead to 28-27, setting up the onside kick.

“It was a great game,” PCHS Robert Johnson said after the game.

“We did a lot of good things, but we just couldn’t we had so many big mistakes that they took advantage of. We were just two-inches short of taking a lead but it fell through.

“Proud of our boys, proud of our seniors. They all played hard. Its obviously disappointing to end the season, I feel for the seniors, but they have nothing to be ashamed off. They all played their hearts out.”