DALEVILLE — The Pike County High School Bulldogs saw their slim playoff hopes dashed tonight as they dropped a 41-7 decision to the Daleville High School Warhawks in a Class 3A, Region 2 matchup at Warhawk Stadium Friday night.

With the loss, the Bulldogs (0-7, 0-5) will miss the state playoffs for the first time since the first year in Wayne Grant’s second tenure during the 1999 campaign.

The Bulldogs were once again playing under interim head coach Fred Holland for the third straight week. Holland is temporarily replacing head coach Rodney Dollar who is currently on a medical leave of absence.

The story of the game was the continued success of Daleville senior running back Brandon Burks. Burks (unofficially) rushed 12 times for 199 yards and five touchdowns in just 2 1/2 quarters. Four of Burks’ five touchdowns occurred during the first half. Burks also caught one pass for 18 yards.

Daleville (3-4, 2-3) wasted very little time getting on the scoreboard in the first quarter as Burks scored on a 23-yard touchdown run. The successful extra point gave the Warhawks a 7-0 lead with 10:24 left in the first quarter.

Pike County took advantage of a first-quarter turnover to score its only touchdown of the game. Tyshin Dawson exploded up the middle for a six-yard scoring run. The key play of the drive was a third-down conversion on a four-yard quarterback draw by senior Marlon Meadows. The successful extra point tied the game at 7-7 with 1:02 left in the first quarter. Dominique Mills also had an eight-yard run on the drive.

But the rest of Homecoming night in Daleville was dominated by the Warhawks.

The key play of the game occurred early in the second quarter when the Warhawks were facing a second-and-28 from their own 44-yard line. Burks took a pitch to the left side and outraced the Bulldog defenders 56 yards untouched for a touchdown. The successful extra point gave Daleville a 14-7 lead with 10 minutes left in the first half.

The Bulldogs never recovered from letting Daleville off the hook.

Burks also scored from 24, 7 and 44 yards out. The Warhawks also scored on a second-half fumble return.

Pike County returns home for the first time in nearly a month this Friday night when it celebrates Homecoming against Luverne. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m.