There's a new coach in town. And the community is stepping up to show support for him, and for the program he took over in early 2008. The new coach, Ed Pilcher came to Decatur County after 17 years at Thomas County Central in Thomasville, Ga.

Left to right are BHS Principal Tommie Howell, Jim Peak, Southwest Georgia Farm Credit CEO Richard Monson, Tim Smith, Bruce Kirbo, Sr., Joe Livingston, Coach Pilcher and BHS center Ben Reynolds.

With remarkable generosity, four Decatur County businesses, including Southwest Georgia Farm Credit and Godwin Jewelers have pledged $25,000 each, and along with a significant grant from the Kirbo Charitable Trust, will purchase a state-of-the-art scoreboard with video replay capabilities for Centennial Field, home of the Bainbridge High School Bearcats. The video screen will be 13 feet by 9 feet according to Coach Pilcher.

"When area businesses and individuals step-up and make a contribution like this, they do it because they care about our students, they care about our athletes, and they want to make Decatur County the best it can be," said head football Coach Ed Pilcher. "We want to make Centennial Field the place to be on a Friday night in the fall. We promise to deliver some of the best high school football you'll see in the area - and now you'll be able to watch it all happen on the field, and on the replay. It will be exciting."

And, according to Bainbridge Bearcat Touchdown Club Chair John Reynolds, M.D., there are more opportunities to be a part of this program. In fact, 12 sponsors are being sought to purchase rotating signage on the large scoreboard and video screen. "We anticipate that at a cost of $1,500 per sign, this opportunity won't be available for long," Dr. Reynolds said.

Businesses are being signed-up as of today. Anyone interested in purchasing a rotating sign should contact Renee Wooten at Bainbridge High School, 229-248-2230. Requests are being taken on a first-come, first-served basis.
 
The video screen will be available for events - other than high school football - happening at Centennial Field.

"This is a gift to the community, first and foremost," said Dr. Reynolds. "We're very fortunate to have these civic-minded people in our community. This will enhance the quality of all of the events we host at Centennial Field."

The Bearcats' first game of the season is set for Saturday, August 23 against the Syrupmakers of Cairo. The first Saturday night game in a very long time.

Also, according to Bainbridge High Principal Tommie Howell, Bainbridge High School students will be the ones to design and operate the new live feed and replay. This is a great learning opportunity for them as well as adding pride for our teams and community.