As the last seconds ticked off the scoreboard at Bulldog Stadium, the crowd rose and applauded their Bulldogs for a great season following a 32-18 defeat to the Bayside Academy Admirals.

Though they were unable to pull out a win, head coach Fred Holland stressed that he was proud of his team’s performance during the season. “This team came a long way and worked hard,” Holland said. “This team fought hard. I can’t thank them enough for the work they put in this year. They make the program proud.”

During the first half, the Bulldogs were able to keep the high-powered Admiral offense in check. The Pike County defense forced the Admirals in to three-and-outs on their first two possessions of the game.

Lamarcus Adair opened the scoring for the Bulldogs on a 33-yard touchdown run that saw Adair break free from many would-be tacklers. A missed extra point gave the Bulldogs a 6-0 lead with 4:43 remaining in the first quarter.

Neither team would score until the Admirals drove 75 yards in 12 plays for their opening touchdown of the game on a two-yard run by Landon Lasseter. On the drive, the Admirals converted two third downs and scored on a fourth down conversion. A Colin Douglas extra point gave the Admirals a 7-6 lead.

Pike County answered right back with a nine play, 67 yard drive. Quarterback Jerrell Lawson connected with Ryshaun Hall on a 14-yard corner route. A failed two-point conversion gave the Bulldogs a 12-7 lead.

Bayside marched down the field in the last two minutes of the half and added a 24-yard field goal by Douglas for a halftime score of 12-10 Pike County.

The second half saw the Bayside offense heat up, and, unfortunately for the Bulldogs, the Pike County offense could not keep place.

Bayside opened the scoring on their first drive of the second half on a four-yard Lasseter run. Quarterback Hunter Slater connected with Reid Norton on the two-point conversion to give the Admirals an 18-12 lead with 2:26 to go in the third quarter.

Pike County answered on its next drive with a touchdown of its own. Lawson connected with Adair on a wheel route from 12 yards out to tie the game at 18 with 9:19 left in the game.

Bayside once again moved the ball effectively against the Pike County defense on a 63-yard drive that included two key third down conversions. Lasseter scored once again from four yards out to give the Admirals the lead. A Douglas extra point put Bayside up 25-18 with 4:50 left in the game.

Pike County could not move the ball on its next possession, and a fourth down heave by Lawson was intercepted by Christopher Johnson.

Trip Puckett scored two plays later to seal the win for the Admirals with a final of 32-18.

After the game coach Holland said the Admirals just played a little harder than the Bulldogs. “They made more plays than we did,” Holland said. “We gave up a few touchdowns and failed to convert a few plays. Our kids fought hard, but Bayside played well.”

Holland summed up the Bulldog’s season by saying he saw improvement every week from his team. “We brought a lot of young guys in, and we had some seniors returning,” Holland said. “From week to week they got better. Our coaches pushed the kids and put them in the right positions. We had a real good season. They made the school and the community proud.”