Bulldogs fall to Tigers, 29-12, in season finale

BOONEVILLE --- On a treacherous night in a driving rainstorm here Thursday night, the Holmes Community College Bulldogs battled with the Northeast Mississippi Community College Tigers but came up short in the season finale, 29-12.

Northeast got on the scoreboard first in the first quarter on a touchdown run. The extra point was good, and Northeast led 7-0. With 38 seconds left in the first quarter, a Bulldog fumble ended up going out of the endzone giving the Tigers a safety and a 9-0 lead.

The Tigers scored again early in the second quarter with 13:43 left on a rushing touchdown. The extra point was good, and Northeast led 16-0.

The Bulldogs' offense then came alive controlling the clock the entire second quarter and scoring two touchdowns. The first touchdown came with 7:52 left in the second when Jordan Willis scored from two yards out. The two-point try was no good, and Northeast led 16-6.

Holmes added another score late in the second when Javonte Matthew, who looked to be hemmed up at the two, broke through the Tigers' defense for a three-yard touchdown. The two-point try was no good, and Northeast led 16-12 at halftime.

Northeast extended the lead to 22-12 with 2:22 left in the third on a rushing touchdown. The extra point was no good.

The Tigers added their final score of the night on touchdown pass. The extra was good, and the Tigers led 29-12.

Kerrick Ross led the Bulldogs in rushing with 75 yards on five carries. Matthew had 54 yards on 14 carries while Willis finished with 33 yards on 17 carries.  Jordan Milton and LaDarrius Knighten each finished the game with eight tackles with Milton having a tackle for loss. Jacquel Honer finished with seven tackles and 1.5 tackles for loss. Duke Arnold, Braxton Bolton and Braxton Bolden each had six tackles with Bolton having 1.5 tackles for loss.