Cairo’s Tahj Vicks, right, tries to close in on Bainbridge running back Dameon Pierce on Friday.

CAIRO — On Friday night, Cairo’s defense with two returning starters from last season had to stop one of the best running backs in the state of Georgia.

They weren’t successful in that pursuit for very long, as Florida commit Dameon Pierce led his Bainbridge Bearcats to a 49-22 win over the Syrupmakers at West Thomas Stadium.

“We just made way too many mistakes against a good football team,” Cairo coach Steve DeVoursney said. “Their running back gets stronger as the game goes on. We’re young and trying to get it right.”

Cairo did not start its night well. After a three-and-out to start the game, a high snap over Syrupmaker punter Noah Jones led to a rushed kick that led to a loss of 29 yards. That play started Bainbridge’s first drive of the game at Cairo’s 10-yard line. Three plays later, Pierce ran into the end zone from three yards out to put his team up 7-0.

Bainbridge tried an onside kick on the ensuing kickoff, but Cairo recovered at their own 42. However, three downs later, the Syrupmakers had to punt. Bainbridge stuck again, going on a 12-play, 3:13 drive that ended in a Mark Loeffler touchdown pass to Adrian Cooper. After the extra point, Bainbridge led 14-0 with 4:02 left in the first quarter.

The Bearcats led early despite themselves — they totaled 12 penalties for 95 yards in the first half. The Syrupmakers were containing Bainbridge’s prized running back well for much of the first quarter, but in the second, he began to do his expected damage.

After Cairo blocked a punt to give itself good field position at Bainbridge’s 40 with 6:02 left in the second quarter, the drive ended with a turnover on downs. Two plays into Bainbridge’s ensuing drive, Pierce found a hole and scampered into the end zone untouched for a 53-yard score.

Leading 21-0, the Bearcats had a prime opportunity to strike again after recovering a Cairo fumble near midfield. After two long plays, Pierce ran into the end zone again but the touchdown was called back due to a holding call. More penalties backed the Bearcats up further, and they came away with no points on the drive.

At its own 26 with the time running down before the half, Cairo went on its best drive of the game. Quarterback Matthew Peters fought the clock and led his team down the field with the help of a big pass interference penalty on Bainbridge.

With 12 seconds left until halftime, Peters tossed a short pass to Cameron Goosby under pressure, and the receiver ran in for the Syrupmakers’ first touchdown. Jy’Kevian Cooper ran towards the right pylon for a two-point conversion, cutting the score to 21-8.

The Syrupmakers’ momentum did not carry over into the second half, though. Bainbridge took only five plays to score early in third quarter, with Loeffler diving into the end zone after a 41-yard run. Pierce continued to tack on to his performance with 15 and 39-yard scores in the third. The Bearcats’ running back ended his night with three touchdowns and 206 yards rushing.

Down 49-8 to start the fourth after another score from Loeffler, Cairo was able to get two more scores in — a 10-yard touchdown run from Jamarcus Vicks and a late 5-yard score from DeAndre Palacios.

“In the second half, they got away from us,” DeVoursney said. “The game’s over but our kids were still fighting and playing hard. That’s all you can ask, especially with this bunch. We’re gonna get better. There’s some positives that come out of this, too.”

Peters ended the game 17-of-29 with 118 yards passing. Vicks rushed for 124 yards on 15 carries.

Cairo will host Hardaway to begin region play next week.