FAIRHOPE, Ala. — The Pirates scored on their first drive and added to it twice before the end of the first quarter. But the Tigers scored on the first play of the second period and 31 seconds later returned a fumble to make it a 21-14 game at Fairhope's W.C. Majors Field Friday.

FHS went on to lead 42-21 at the half and win the 6A Region 2 contest over Baldwin County High 49-27.

The Pirates improved to 3-0 in 6A Region 2, 3-1 overall and travel to 5A Saint Paul's while BCHS (0-3, 0-4) will host 5A Spanish Fort in non-region play this week.

Although always happy to see the bigger number on his side of the scoreboard, Fairhope coach David Faulkner said his team isn't playing to potential.

"We still haven't come out and put four quarters of football together on either side of the ball," Faulkner said. "We play a half here and a half there. "I thought they did a good job of coming out in the second half and settling down and playing defense the way we are supposed to play defense.

“We’ve struggled offensively in the first three ballgames. We came out tonight and hit some deep balls over the top and it stretched them out defensively. We haven't given up that many points in a while, but Baldwin County came out, made plays and moved the chains, their kids played hard. But anytime you can get a region win, you'll take it."

Still looking for their first win, Tigers' coach David Wofford said his team made major strides technically, but he was even more pleased with their fight and enthusiasm in the wake of an 0-4 start.

“The kids came out tonight and decided they weren’t going to hand a game to somebody," he said. "I saw a resurgence of our team playing hard with intensity from our football team. It's been one of these years where we’ve been trying to find a rhythm and fighting injuries. But tonight I thought our kids never quit. They played to the final seconds and if we keep doing that then good things will happen to us this year."

Wofford said sophomore quarterback Nate Jones and converted defensive back to running back Andre Pigrim had breakout performances.

"Nate Jones, we felt like he had a lot of promise," Wofford said. "Nate won the job and he really has shown a really cool demeanor. Every week he's getting better. He's still learning reading coverages and we try to protect him on some sets, but we will do what we have to do. Andre Pigrum stepped up and ran the ball hard tonight. That is what we have to have. We are seeing some positives and we are going to bring our lunch pails and keep working hard every week."

Jones, who started his second game, was 14-of-28 for 137 yards and had two scores while Pigrum ran for 128 yards and a touchdown on 12 carries. Aaron Creps added three PATs for the Tigers who went for two after their fourth TD. But Pirate cornerback Cadell Peterson intercepted the pass attempt in the endzone. Peterson had two INTs on the night and FHS teammate Timothy Coleman had one.

Fairhope junior quarterback Chase Domino threw three touchdown passes and was 15-of-19 for 181 yards. Tanner Martin ran for 193 yards on 13 carries with a touchdown from the 13 on the opening drive. Nick Cutrone was 7-for-7 kicking. The Pirates defensive made it 14-0 on the next BCHS drive when FHS linebacker Ian Thomas scooped up a loose ball at the Tiger 25 and ran it back. And it was 21-0 after FHS went 67 yards in four plays capped by Domino's 14-yard pass to Nate Andrews.

But 57 seconds later BCHS was back in it. On the first play of the second period, Pigrum burst through the middle for a 61-yard TD and Myrtis Williams returned an FHS fumble 54 yards to make it 21-14 with 11:03 left in the first half.

The Pirates extended the lead to 28-14 on their next possession set up with a nice return by Ben Reynolds to the Tiger 45. They scored six plays later on 2-yard keeper by Domino. Deeandra Ervin caught a 15-yard TD pass from Domino to make it 35-21. The Tigers scored next on their longest (14 play, 80-yard) drive) when Jones hit Apollo Dailey from five yards out. Fairhope closed out the half going 67 yards with Domino finding Andrews again for a 14-yard TD pass.

After a scoreless third, Domino tossed a 10-yard TD to Lewis Hunter at 8:28 in the fourth quarter to cap a 71-yard drive, while Jones linked with Ronnie Davis for a 7-yard score with 1:53 left in the game.