Holmes CC get season-opening win over Soutwest, 48-31

Story from Holmes CC Athletics:
SUMMIT — The Holmes Community College Bulldogs opened the 2024 campaign with a 48-31 MACCC win over the Southwest Mississippi Community College Bears here Thursday night.

Holmes, now 1-0, will host Copiah-Lincoln Community College on Thursday in Goodman. Gametime is 6:30 p.m., and you can watch at holmesccmedia.com or listen on the Bulldog Football Radio Network (101.1 FM, 100.1 FM, and 102.5 FM and 1120 AM).

The Bears took a 7-0 lead in the first quarter.

The game remained tied until 11 minutes left in the second quarter when John Ford connected with Cam Joseph from 19 yards out. Andrew Merrell‘s extra point was good.

Southwest answered the score with 8:40 left in the second.

After the Bears got the ball back from the Bulldogs, Dandreyus Giles intercepted the ball and raced in from 25 yards out. Merrell’s kick tied the game at 14 with 5:20 to play in the half. The game remained tied at halftime.

In the third, the Bulldogs took the lead for when Ford found K.J. Miller from 13 yards out. The extra point was no good, and Holmes led 20-14 with 9:10 left in the quarter.

The Bears added a field goal to pull within three at 20-17 with 6:20 left in the third.

Holmes then increased the lead to 10 when Ford found Tavares Wade from 19 yards out. Merrell’s kick was good making the score 27-17.

The Bulldogs added another score with 50 seconds left when DeAndre Pullen scored from two yards out. Merrell’s kick was good making the score 34-17.

The Bears then scored twice, once in the late third and once in the early fourth, to bring the Bears to within three at 34-31 with 11:57 left in the game.

Holmes increased the lead to 10 with 7:15 to play when Ford found Cayden Burger from nine yards out. Merrell’s kick was good making the score 41-31.

The Bulldogs’ final score came with 2:30 left when Bishop Riley intercepted the Bears and returned the ball 43 yards for the touchdown. Merrell’s kick ended all scoring at 48-31.