By Richard Greene Assistant Editor
The Pilot Point Bearcats are running back to the playoffs.
Rushing for 319 yards and four touchdowns on the ground, the Bearcats clinched a playoff spot Friday night with a 34-7 win over the Bowie Jackrabbits at Jackrabbitt Stadium.
Pilot Point will play Sanger next week in a showdown for second place in District 6-3A and the league's top seed in the Class 3A Division II playoffs. Pilot Point, Sanger and Gainesville all clinched playoff berths Friday night with victories. The playoff berth is Pilot Point's fourth straight and first under head coach Blake Feldt, who took over the program in May.
"It feels great to get back in the playoffs," said Pilot Point fullback Grant Guthrie. "People had their doubts early, but we've come together and kept listening to our coaches. Now, we just got to win the final game and hit the playoffs hard."
Guthrie led a group of eight Pilot Point ball carriers with 180 yards and a touchdown on 18 carries. Guthrie had three runs of more than 30 yards, including his 36-yard touchdown run in the third quarter that gave Pilot Point a 20-7 lead.
"The line did a great job," Guthrie said. "I had the holes and all I had to do was run."
The Pilot Point offensive line dominated the line of scrimmage throughout the game. Feldt said he challenged the line during the week and they responded.
"They did a super job," Feldt said. "Coming in we thought we needed to line up and run the football. We did that."
Senior lineman Corey Hamm said they were able to overcome Bowie's size and get the job done.
"At first we didn't know if we could do that because of their size," Hamm said. "But we've worked hard all off-season and tonight it showed."
Running behind the line for the first since third game of the season was senior tailback Blake Feagins. On his first carry in five games, Feagins went 28 yards for the Bearcats' first touchdown. Feagins finished with 52 yards on five carries. Feagins also caught two passes for 34 yards.
With the Bearcats running the ball at will, Pilot Point quarterback Arthur Buckingham had the opportunity to make plays through air. Buckingham was 5-for-19 for 124 yards with a touchdown and an interception. Buckingham's 16-yard touchdown pass to Adam McBride with 11:54 left in the second quarter put Pilot Point back in front for good, 12-7.
The Bearcats' defense limited Bowie to 237 yards offense and forced two turnovers. The Bearcats twice turned the Jackrabbits away at the goal-line, making stops on fourth down. Bowie's lone score came after an interception return to Pilot Point 15-yard line in the first quarter.
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