Worth County travels to Bainbridge to face undefeated Bearcats

If Worth County wants to extend their three-game winning streak, the Rams will have to bring their best when they travel south to take on Bainbridge Friday night at Centennial Field.

After losing their first two games of the season, the Rams (3-2) have hit their stride, stringing together wins over Crisp County, Cairo and Dougherty.

During the streak, the Rams have allowed just 15 points, all of which came against the Syrupmakers. Worth has also received big contributions from its special teams and defense.

In the Rams’ last game against Dougherty, they scored touchdowns on a punt return and kickoff return and also returned an interception to the one-yard line, setting up an easy score. They also had two interceptions returned for touchdowns in their game against Crisp.

“Any time the defense gets big plays, whether it’s a turnover or points, or special teams, that kind of ignites your offense,” Worth coach Jason Tone said. “It is always good to get those hidden yards. Friday night, Eric (Burrows) had an interception and returned it all the way to the two…when you only have to go two yards to score, you have a good chance.”

The Rams defense will need to step up again to beat a Bainbridge team that is 6-0 and averaging 34 points per game.

The winner will obviously gain the inside track to the top seed in the Region 1-AAAA ‘B’ subregion standings with just three weeks left in the regular season.

The Bearcat offense is led by quarterback Brett McLaughlin and running back Dameon Pierce, who finished his last game with more than 200 total yards. Tone mentioned wide receivers Tyler Storey and Zyon McGee as two weapons the Rams will need to contain.

“The key is to line up and be disciplined with your key reads,” Tone said. “I don’t think you can stop all of them. But, I think you can try to limit explosive plays down the field. Big runs, long passes, things of that nature to try to help you defensively. But, I don’t think you can just flat out stop all of them. They have too many weapons to do that.”

Offensively, Tone said the Rams will try to control the ball and the clock to limit Bainbridge’s offensive possessions.

“If we can’t get first downs and convert third downs offensively, then it is going to be a really long night because they will get on you in a hurry,” he said.

According to the Georgia High School Football Historians Association, this is just the fourth meeting between the teams. Bainbridge holds the all-time record at 2-1, but Worth beat the Bearcats last year 48-28.