Bulldogs lose heartbreaker to the Indians, 37-34
GOODMAN --- The Holmes Community College Bulldogs battled with the Itawamba Community College Indians until the final horn sounded here tonight but came up a short, 37-34, to fall to 3-3 overall and 1-2 in the North Division.
Holmes travels to East Mississippi next Saturday at 2 p.m. in another division battle. You can hear the game live on the Bulldog Football Network starting at 1:30 p.m. with the pregame show.
The Indians got the only points in the first quarter on an eight-yard touchdown pass. The extra point was no good, and Itawamba led 6-0 with 28 seconds left in the quarter.
The Bulldogs answered the score with one of their own with 11:50 left in the second quarter when Reggie Hayes connected with Martavius Dill on a 26-yard touchdown pass. The Bulldogs took a 7-6 lead after Connor McKay's extra point was good.
Holmes added another score with 9:37 left before halftime when Hayes connected with Dylan Kelly on a 69-yard touchdown pass. Holmes led 13-7 after McKay's extra point was no good.
Itawamba tied the game at 13 on a one-yard run and PAT with 7:41 left in the second quarter.
After an Indian punt pinned the Bulldogs down at their own one, Kelly took the handoff and raced 99 yards for the score. McKay's extra point put the Bulldogs up 20-13 with 3:10 left before halftime.
The Indians answered the score minutes later on a 12-yard touchdown pass and PAT to tie the game at 20.
The Bulldogs had a chance just before the half ended to take a lead but McKay's 45-yard field goal sailed wide right.
Itawamba retook the lead with 13:18 left in the third quarter on a 15-yard run and PAT.
In the fourth quarter, the Indians got three points on a 24-yard field goal to go up 30-20 with 10:57 left in the game.
The Bulldogs broke the score to 30-27 after Jesse Wilson connected with Gabe Short on an eight-yard touchdown pass. McKay's extra point was good with 7:41 left in the game.
The Indians scored quickly with 6:12 left to play on a 51-yard touchdown pass. The extra point was good, and Itawamba led 37-27.
Holmes added their final points of the game with 1:55 to play when Hayes connected with Kelly for his third score of the night from 20 yards out. McKay's kick was good, and Itawamba led 37-24.
The Bulldogs racked up 571 yards offensively including 344 yards on the ground and 227 in the air. Kelly had 137 yards on five carries. Hayes was 6-of-12 for 180 yards and three touchdowns while Wilson was 6-of-10 for 47 yards and one touchdown.
Jatavis Whitley led the Bulldogs with 12 tackles including eight solos. Kendrick Haynes had eight tackles while Luke Wilson had seven and James Johnson had six.