Bulldogs knock off the Bears, 45-21

SUMMIT --- The Holmes Community College Bulldogs finished the 2023 campaign on a winning note knocking off the Southwest Mississippi Community College Bears, 45-21, here Thursday night.

Holmes finished the season 6-3 overall.

The Bulldogs got on the scoreboard early in the first when John Ford found Jahiem Shack on a 19-yard touchdown pass. Jalen Ballard's extra point gave Holmes a 7-0 lead with 11:30 left in the quarter.

Southwest tied the game with 9:42 left at seven. The Bears then went up 14-7 with 3:24 left in the first.

Holmes was able to tie the game at 14 with 52 seconds left in the first when J.J. Grant scored from a yard out. Ballard's kick was good.

The Bears scored their final points of the game with 14:10 left in the second quarter and led 21-14.

Ford then connected with Deion Smith with 5:08 left in the second from 10 yards out. Ballard's kick tied the game at 21.

Holmes then took the lead for good with 2:25 left in the second when Joe Moss powered his way in from the two. Ballard's kick put Holmes up 28-21. 

Ford connected with Smith again on a 65-yard touchdown pass with 40 seconds left in the second. Ballard's kick was good, and Holmes led 35-21 at halftime.

The two connected again early in the third on a 15-yard touchdown pass. The Bulldogs led 42-21 with 10:10 left in the third after Ballard's kick was good.

Ballard rounded out the scoring with 7:38 left in the third on a 47-yard field goal.

Ford was 23-of-33 for 277 yards and four touchdowns. Smith caught eight passes for 154 yards and three touchdowns. Grant led the Bulldogs in rushing with 72 yards on 12 carries.

The Bulldog defense had seven sacks and 13 tackles for loss in the game. Zy Perry finished with seven tackles including a sack and 3.5 TFL. Jordan Gowdy had five tackles while Commondre Cole, Chris Walley and Maxton Woodward each had four tackles.  Cole had two sacks and two TFL as did Walley. Daniel Smith and Zyonn Mayes added an interception each.