by Hunter Dawkins, Owner/Publisher – editor@thegazebogazette.com or hdawkins@supertalk.fm

LONG BEACH (GG) — Success is not a virtue the Long Beach Bearcats have had on the football field in the last 8 years, only winning 6 games during this time.  On Friday night, September 12 at the Lumpkin Magee Stadium in Long Beach, the Bearcats (1-2) shut out cross county rival; Bay High (0-3), for the first time since 2010.

As the Tigers were the Bearcats longest rival 69 times with Long Beach owning a 40-27-2 record, Bay High has only scored 14 points in three games.  Despite the Bearcats being 1-2 before region play begins in October, Long Beach has outscored opponents 81-70.

Scoring Summary

Due to the final score, safe to say the Bearcats defense was dominant, held Bay High to only 68 total yards on offense, and forced three turnovers (2 interceptions and 1 fumble).

Following an opening three and out possession by the Tigers, Long Beach drove to a missed 30-yard field goal attempt.  Bay threw a costly interception on the very next play to defensive back Carlos Finch, Jr. who waltzed right in for a touchdown.  With a converted PAT (extra point) at 6:41 left in the first quarter, the Bearcats were the first and only to light up the scoreboard 7-0.

After another short series from Bay, the Bearcats turned to their playmaker, running back Junior Brown, who raced down the sidelines for a 60 yard touchdown with 4:29 left in the quarter and a 14-0 lead.

Then the Tigers failed to handle the kickoff, which Long Beach recovered near the goal line.  Bearcats Quarterback Derek McDonald scampered in the end zone on a keeper for a score.  With 4:13 left in the first, Long Beach put on a highlight show and a 21-0 score.

Both teams traded possession numerous times until a 30 yard punt return by the Long Beach defensive back Rashad Foxworth put the Bearcats in the red zone.  Sure thing, McDonald found receiver S.J. Valentine on a 20-yard post with 2:10 in the half for a 28-0 lead.

Bay High burned enough time to take a shot right before the half, but Foxworth intercepted the errant pass, leaving the halftime score in favor of Long Beach 28-0.

Coming out of the gates, the Bearcats drove down the field on the first possession until McDonald found Valentine for a 27 yard touchdown pass.  After Bay High had a short series, McDonald ran for a 32-yard touchdown off a zone read play, which gave Long Beach a 42-0 lead and the non-stop clock began.

Beginning the final frame, the Tigers attempted to slow the game down from Long Beach, but the Bearcats forced a punt and drove down inside the red zone.  From there, Long Beach halfback Gavin Sutherlin pounded through the middle on a 15 yard lead for the final touchdown.

When the PAT was converted, the Bearcats had a 49-0 lead with under 3 minutes.  This would be the final score.

The Numbers Never Lie

McDonald led all players with two touchdown passes and 2 touchdown runs.  Although Brown only had one touchdown, the offense was balanced with two touchdowns from Valentine.  Placekicker Aiden Downey made all seven extra points.

Since 2000, Long Beach is 23-5 when scoring 40+ points per game and is currently undefeated at home after the first game for the second consecutive year.

Homecoming Court and Up Next

The king and queen of Long Beach High School were announced before the game began.  The LBHS Queen of 2025 was Svetlana Baleyev and the King named was Luke Blackhurst.

The Bearcats play their third road and final non-region game against the Purvis Tornadoes at 7pm Friday, September 19, 2025.

(All photos by Ezabelle Janssen/The Gazebo Gazette)