FAIRHOPE - Fairhope’s playoff run came to an end with a 42-21 home loss to Opelika on Friday.

Although they tried to put up a fight, the Pirates' season concluded during a cold night on the Eastern Shore, with the Bulldogs' offensive power being too much for the the home side to handle.

Despite the loss, Fairhope head coach Caleb Ross was proud of what his team was able to accomplish during his first year as the Pirates’ head coach.

“Opelika’s the better football team,” Ross said. “They’re physically, right now, better than us. We got a ways to go with the program on that, but look, first game of the year, we get beat by Pace 41-to-nothing. (If) you told me I’d take 8-and-3 and win the region, I’d take that deal right now. Proud of our seniors, proud of our guys. I couldn’t be more proud of this group.”

PIRATES FALL TO BULLDOGS

Opelika got off to a strong start, going 80 yards on 11 plays for an easy touchdown to take a 7-0 lead to begin the game. Fairhope struggled to move the chains, but the Pirates responded with an interception from defensive lineman Hays Fillingim.

Despite this, Fairhope wasn't able to take advantage of the early turnover, going three-and-out and punting it back to Opelika. The Bulldogs proceeded to put together another touchdown drive, going up 14-0, before stopping Fairhope on 4th-and-1 during the Pirates’ ensuing offensive drive in the final seconds of the first quarter.

At the 10:53 mark in the second quarter, Opelika scored its third touchdown of the game, with Bulldog receiver DJ Hodge catching a touchdown pass to make it a 21-0 lead for the visitors. Fairhope finally got on the board though when Pirate quarterback Trey Garner scrambled 35 yards into the endzone for an easy touchdown, making it 21-7.

Opelika responded with a touchdown drive to make it 27-7. Although, with six seconds left in the second quarter, Garner saw a deep pass into the endzone and find the hands of tailback Nic Ronsisvalle, cutting the Pirates’ deficit to 28-14 at halftime.

The Bulldogs' prowess, however, would prove to be too much for the home side. The Bulldogs blocked a field goal attempt the 9:09 mark of the third quarter and proceeded to put the game away with back-to-back scoring drives, making it 42-14 at the end of the third quarter.

Fairhope’s last touchdown of the night came at the 8:27 mark of the fourth quarter, with Ronsisvalle getting his second score of the game to make it 42-21, a margin that would hold until the clock hit zero.

With their loss in the playoffs, the Pirates finish the football season with an 8-3 overall record, including a 6-1 record in 6A Region 1, where they finished first place and claimed a regional title.