DOTHAN — Providence Christian coach Emory Latta let out a “whew” following the Eagles’ 34-13 home victory over Pleasant Home on Friday night.

“I’ve never seen two fumbles returned in the first half for scores,” Latta sighed.

Before Friday night, Providence had only lost one fumble all season.

Against Pleasant Home, Providence lost three — which included the two first-half returns for touchdowns.

“They (Pleasant Home) hadn’t done nothing on offense,” Latta said. “But we had some miscues.”

Leading 7-0 after getting a 27-yard touchdown run by Preston Jones on Providence’s first possession, the home-standing Eagles came up with a fumble recovery on the ensuing possession when Andrew Welch pounced on a loose ball for Providence at their own 40.

But shortly thereafter, it was Pleasant Home coming up with the first big play of the game when Cory Sims picked up a loose ball in the Providence backfield and rambled 50 yards for a touchdown. Josh Sutton nailed the extra point kick for a 7-7 tie with 9:57 left in the first half.

Providence promptly regained the lead on its next possession, moving 54 yards on seven plays to get back in the end zone when Jones scored on a 2-yard run. Chris Crawford ripped off a 27-yard gain to get the drive going. Banks Smith kicked through the extra point for a 14-7 advantage.

But there were more fireworks to come in the first half.

Providence came up with an interception when Ross Eidson picked off an Ethan King pass in the end zone as Pleasant Home was moving down the field.

But three plays later Providence lost the ball again in the backfield and Dominek Sims picked the ball up and ran it 65 yards for a touchdown with just 22 seconds left in the half. The extra point kick was missed, leaving the score at 14-13 at halftime.

Providence scored on its first possession of the second half when Crawford went in from 2 yards out. A nice kickoff return and a personal foul against Pleasant Home put Providence at the 29 of Pleasant Home to begin the scoring drive.

Providence virtually put the game away late in the third quarter when quarterback Nick Plagenhoef rolled right on a 4th-and-4 play from the 10 and connected with Crawford on a short pass, which was turned into an easy touchdown. The extra point was missed.

The final touchdown came with just over a minute to play when Jones went in on a 9-yard run. Austin Gilchrist picked off a pass on Pleasant Home’s final possession.

Jones led all rushers with 150 yards on 19 carries, while Crawford had 112 yards on 15 tries.

Providence improved to 4-4 overall, 3-3 in region play, while Pleasant Home is 3-5 overall, 1-5 in the region.