Region Champs: Bulldogs leave little doubt in blowout win over Opp
Published 11:24 pm Friday, October 18, 2019
- Photo/Jessica Gunn Pike County defenders swarm to an Opp ball carrier during their game on Friday night in Brundidge.
The Pike County Bulldogs locked up the AHSAA 3A Region 2 title Friday night with a 44-13 homecoming victory over the Opp Bobcats.
“It means a lot,” said head couch Fred Holland. “Securing a first round home game in the playoffs is big. We’re not taking anything away from our last two games of the regular season though.”
After an explosive game last week offensively, the Bulldogs had to churn their way down the field in the early going Friday night. About midway through the first quarter, Rayshawn Reynolds ran in a touchdown from eight yards out to give Pike County a 6-0 lead after a methodical drive.
Meanwhile, the Bulldog defense was stifling Opp, forcing them into multiple three-and-outs.
On the next drive,the Bulldogs scored again on a 30-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Daquavious Coleman to receiver Zerathan Caffie to extend their lead to 12-0.
The Pike County defense continued a strong showing in the first half, forcing an Opp fumble on their third play of the following drive.
The Myhand twins, Darrick and Derrick, took turns making some nice runs, helping the Bulldogs overcome multiple penalties before Reynolds finished another drive with a 10-yard touchdown run.
The Pike County defense once again forced a three-and-out, but started with the ball at their own 15 due to a personal foul call on a big hit. After failing to convert on third down, the Bulldogs fumbled the snap and could only muster a punt to their own 38-yard-line.
Opp took advantage, making a big pass to set up a quick touchdown less than two minutes before the half.
That was enough time for the Bulldogs to squeeze in one more touchdown though. After starting on their own 45, Coleman hit receiver K’Ahriyus Pennington for a 35-yard pass to bring the Bulldogs in scoring range. Darrick Myhand finished off the drive on fourth and goal from the 1 with just five seconds left in the half, making the score 24-7.
Derrick Myhand made the big play for the Bulldogs coming out of halftime, sprinting 51 yards down the field and setting up Darrick for the 1-yard touchdown run.
The Bobcats found some offensive rhythm in the second half, mixing in more passes.
After driving 50 yards on the Bulldogs though, Opp turned the ball over on downs.
Two plays later, Rayshawn Reynolds found a seam and rumbled down the field for an 80yard score, his third of the game.
Opp once again put a drive together against the Bulldogs, thanks in part to a long pass play, but Pike County forced a fumble to once again recover at their own 20.
The Bulldogs drove down the field into the fourth quarter and Darrick Myhand capped off the drive with a 20-yard touchdown run to give the Bulldogs a 44-7 lead.
Opp scored a touchdown on the following drive to make the final score 44-13 in the game’s closing minutes.
The Bulldogs will travel to Straughn next Friday for the region finale and will return home to face Sweetwater to wrap up the regular season.
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