Bulldogs battle but fall to the Rangers, 36-28

GOODMAN --- The Holmes Community College Bulldogs lost a heartbreaker here Thursday on Homecoming 2023 to the Northwest Mississippi Community College Rangers, 36-28.

Holmes ends the regular season Thursday night in Summit versus Southwest Mississippi Community College at 6:30 p.m.

Northwest jumped out to a 10-0 lead in the game in the first quarter. The Rangers hit a field goal to go up 3-0 with 9:17 left in the first before adding a passing touchdown and extra point with 4:40 to play to lead 10-0.

The Bulldogs picked up a score of their own when John Ford connected with Deion Smith from 30 yards out. Jalen Ballard's extra point brought the Bulldogs to within three at 10-7 with 2:16 to play in the first.

The Rangers added a field goal with 10:10 to play in the second quarter before the Bulldogs scored on a two-yard pass from NyJal Johnson to Vontrez Rush. Ballard's kick was good, and Holmes led 14-13 at halftime.

The Bulldogs added to the lead in the third when Joe Moss scored from four yards out. Ballard's extra point put Holmes up 21-13 with 13:07 left in the third.

Northwest scored with 5:03 on another field goal. The Rangers then scored on a rushing touchdown to make it 22-21 Northwest after three quarters.

The Rangers scored two touchdowns to go up 36-21 in the fourth on a passing touchdown and a rushing touchdown. Both extra points were good.

The Bulldogs final score of the game came with 1:11 when Ford connected with Smith again, this time from 13 yards out. Ballard's kick made it 36-28.

Holmes' Tay Williams recovered the onside kick, but the Bulldogs were able to score before time expired.

Ford ended the game 27-of-48 for 338 yards and two touchdowns. Smith was the leading receiver with 13 catches for 231 yards and two touchdowns. Jarvis Rush had three catches for 41 yards.

Jalon Townes led the Bulldogs with 14 tackles including 1.5 TFLs and a fumble recovery. Laquan Robinson had 13 tackles and a .5 TFL. Maxton Woodward had 10 tackles.