HARTFORD – Pleasant Home had hoped to capture a win here Friday night that would give them the right to host a first-round playoff game, but Geneva County’s Bulldogs proved to be too much for them.

The Bulldogs struck first after an errant snap on a Pleasant Home punt left Geneva County with the ball on the Eagles’ 23. Skyler Pensyl scored on a quarterback keeper from 2-yards out a few plays later.

After forcing another Pleasant Home punt, Geneva County drove 70 yards and Lewis Carroll added his first touchdown of the night on an 18-yard run around the right side, giving the Bulldogs a 12-0 lead.

Geneva County started off the second half with a long drive, but was denied the end zone by a swarming Pleasant Home defense on a goal line stand.

Pleasant Home finally reached the end zone halfway through the fourth quarter when Gabe Gunter completed a pass to Hunter Odom for a 50-yard touchdown. The PAT was good, and suddenly the game was in reach, 12-7.

The Eagles attempted an onside kick, but Geneva County took advantage of the short field and Carroll added his second touchdown, this time on a 27-yard run around the right side to put Geneva County up 18-7.

Pleasant Home made one last effort as time was running out. Gunter had completed five consecutive passes before throwing an interception to Skyler Pensyl with less than a minute left to play.

Pleasant Home head coach Ronnie Douglas said turnovers hurt his team.

“We had too many turnovers in the first half,” he said. “Geneva County is a young team and they didn’t make many mistakes and we just really couldn’t move the ball in the first half with all the turnovers. The players would have liked to have hosted a playoff game, but unfortunately that goes to Geneva County now.”

The Eagles (5-3, 4-2 in Class 1A, Region 2) play Cottage Hill at home next week, and will be on the road in the first round of playoffs.