It was a game of two very different teams. Pikeville had 19 yards on the ground compared to Bethel's 344. It was the same in the passing game as the Golden Bears had 195 yards to 16 for the Wildcats.

It was a shaky beginning for the ‘Cats as quarterback Troy Watson was picked off on the second offensive play, but Pikeville gave the ball right back as they fumbled. Bethel got on the board with their second possession as Sean Fraser booted a 26 yard field goal with 1:40 left in the first quarter to give Bethel a 3-0 lead.

Watson threw his second interception in the second quarter giving the Golden Bears the ball at the Bethel 36. Two pass plays later, and Pikeville found the endzone for a 7-3 lead. Bethel answered back after their drive stalled on the Pikeville nine yard line and Fraser kicked his second field goal from 26 yards out with 5:12 left in the half. Pikeville took the ensuing possession into field goal range and went ahead 10-6 with just :12 left in the half.

Bethel's defense held Pikeville in their first possession of the second half forcing a punt that Chris Hatch blocked to give the Wildcats a short field at the PC 44 yard line. Two big runs by Josh Boyd of 21 and 10 yards set up his three yard score and Bethel led 13-10. The Golden Bears knotted the score up with a 21 yard field goal with 2:48 remaining in the third.

Late in the fourth quarter, Bethel's defense held again forcing a punt. Hatch burst through the line and blocked his second punt of the night. That gave Bethel the ball on Pikeville's 20 yard line. Facing third and eleven, Boyd rushed for 16 yards. The next play, Boyd found the endzone from five yards out. The snap on the PAT was mishandled giving Bethel a 19-13 lead. The Golden Bears faced fourth and seven but completed a 31 yard pass to the Bethel 14 yard line. With 2:34 left, Pikeville sneaked it in from the one and made the important PAT for a 20-19 lead. On the ensuing kickoff Bethel's Jahron Reynolds got an opening and streaked for what looked to be a go ahead touchdown. But, the Wildcats were flagged for a block in the back that negated the score. Bethel would then get to the Pikeville 20 yard line with time running out, but Watson fumbled ending the Wildcats comeback threat.

Offensively, Boyd had 233 yards on 34 carries. His effort is good for third all-time for a single game in the Bethel record books. Cordarius Mann had 94 yards on nine carries. It will be a night Watson will want to put behind him as he went 3-12 with two interceptions.

On the defensive side of the ball, Sean McCormick had 10 tackles with 2.5 for losses of 22 yards, one sack and one forced fumble. Will Henry had nine tackles, three for losses of 11 yards and 2.5 sacks. Wade Vandergriff also had nine stops, with one for loss. Chancy DePriest 8 tackles, 1.5 for loss, one sack; BJ Banks 6 tackles, 1.5 for loss, 1.5 sacks; Antonio Wardlow 6 tackles.