ELLISVILLE – The Jones County Junior College Bobcats used a strong second half to whip Pearl River 34-6 here Thursday night at Bobcat Stadium/Sim Cooley Field.
Leading just 7-6 at halftime, the Bobcats scored four touchdowns and limited Pearl River to just four first downs and no points in the second half.
Seminary freshman defensive back Eric Barnes had a tremendous night for the Bobcats.
He 'scooped and scored' on a 17-yard fumble recovery on a Pearl River kickoff return late in the third quarter. Barnes then punctuated the victory with a 48-yard interception return for a score late in the fourth quarter.
The Bobcats have now won two straight contests and are 2-2 overall, 2-0 in the MACJC South Division. It was JCJC's fifth straight win over the Wildcats.
Pearl River drops to 1-3 and 0-2.
JCJC started off the game in fine fashion.
The Bobcats took the opening kickoff and methodically marched 72 yards in 15 plays for a touchdown. DeSherrius Flowers, a freshman from Mobile, Alabama, scored from 1-yard out and Michael Godley's extra point made it 7-0 with 8:56 left in the first quarter.
JCJC picked up six first downs on that initial drive.
Pearl River's Tarvarious Moore then returned the kickoff 48 yards to the Bobcat 38-yard line. However, JCJC held the Wildcats on fourth and 2 at the 30 and took over on downs.
On the Wildcats' next possession, they drove from their own 20 to the JCJC 29 in 10 plays. But Brennan O'Keefe's 46-yard field goal attempt missed and the Bobcats would take ball possession.
But Pearl River would force a Jones' punt and take over at the Bobcat 41 after a 14-yard punt return by Neicell McNair and a 15-yard personal foul penalty against JCJC.
The Wildcats would then go the distance in six plays with quarterback Matt Williams finding Will Inlow for a 13-yard touchdown pass. However, O'Keefe's extra point attempt was no good and JCJC still led 7-6 with 13:21 left in the second quarter.
On Pearl River's next possession, the Wildcats drove from their 35 to the JCJC 8 where they had a first and goal. On second down, Williams found Anthony Jones for an apparent 6-yard scoring pass, but it was called back because of offensive pass interference. The Wildcats would end up missing a 38-yard field goal to end the drive.
The Bobcats came out in the second half and forced a fumble on PRCC's first play from scrimmage.
Johnkil Skipper made the recovery and JCJC was in business at the Wildcat 19. But four plays later, Godley's 30-yard field goal attempt failed.
But the Bobcats would get rolling on their next possession.
After a short punt, JCJC took over at the Wildcat 38. They would face a fourth and 2 at the 30, but Pearl River jumped offsides to give the Bobcats a first down.
Later, Jones faced a fourth and 1 at the Wildcat 6. Wide receiver Tevin Moore lined up in the 'wild Bobcat' formation behind center, took the direct snap and ran six yards for the score. Godley's PAT made it 14-6 with 10:26 left in the third quarter.
On the next kickoff, Moore took the ball at his own 4 and raced out past the 15 where he was hit by Anthony Martin and fumbled. Barnes recovered and ran it in into the end zone from 17 yards away for the score. Godley's extra point made it 21-6 with 10:17 left in the third quarter.
On the Bobcats' next possession, they would drive 80 yards in seven plays. Moore did the honors again, scoring on a 2-yard run. The big play in the drive was a 29-yard pass from quarterback Thad Miller to wideout Barry Gibson, which gave JCJC a first and goal at the 5. The extra point attempt failed, but the Bobcats led 27-6 with 4:55 left in the third quarter
Barnes would then close the scoring with his 48-yard interception return with 6:04 left in the game. Godley would add the extra point.
Linebacker Ty Hill and defensive back Javien Hamilton led the Bobcats with nine tackles each. Defensive back Shelton Wallace had six stops.
Defensive tackle Reginal Hamilton had three tackles, including a quarterback sack and one tackle for loss. Defensive tackle Johnkil Skipper was credited with a pass interception, while Martin had the forced fumble. Defensive end Markel Winters had a sack and defensive tackle Trey Revere had one tackle for loss.
Jarkice Davis led the Bobcats in rushing with 54 yards on 12 attempts, while Stephen Cowan rushed for 41 yards and James Milledge added 36.
Punter Patrick Ponder had an outstanding game for the Bobcats, averaging 48 yards on seven kicks.
The Bobcats finished the game with 18 first downs, 173 yards rushing, 85 yards passing and 258 yards of total offense.
JCJC limited Pearl River to 12 first downs, 31 yards rushing, 216 yards passing and 247 yards of total offense.
The Bobcats continue division play next week with a Sept. 24 contest at Mississippi Gulf Coast. Kickoff will be at 7 p.m.
Pearl River hosts Southwest Mississippi next week.
 
Jones County 34, Pearl River 6
Thursday, September 17
Bobcat Stadium/Sim Cooley Field
Ellisville
 
Pearl River                           0  6  0  0  – 6
Jones County                        7  0  20 7 – 34
 
Scoring summary
1^st quarter – JCJC, Desherrius Flowers 1-yard run, 8:56. Michael Godley PAT. JCJC 7-0.
2^nd quarter – PRCC, Will Inlow 13-yard pass from Matt Williams, 13:21. Kick failed. JCJC 7-6.
3^rd quarter – JCJC, Tevin Moore 6-yard run, 10:26. Godley PAT. JCJC 14-6.
3^rd quarter – JCJC, Eric Barnes 17-yard fumble recovery return, 10:17. Godley PAT. JCJC 21-6.
3^rd quarter – JCJC, Moore 2-yard run, 4:55. Kick failed. JCJC 27-6.
4^th quarter – JCJC, Barnes 48-yard interception return. Godley PAT. JCJC 34-6.
 
Pearl River                                                   Jones County
12                               FD                            18
25-31                         Rushes-Yards           52-173
19-31-1                      Comp-Att-Int             8-18-0
216                             Passing Yards          85
247                             Total Offense            258
13-80                         Penalties-Yards         7-68
5-36.5                         Punts-Ave.                7-48.0
4-2                              Fumbles-Lost            3-0
 
JCJC statistics
Rushing
JCJC – Jarkice Davis 12-54; Stephen Cowan 12-41; James Milledge 12-36; DeSherrius Flowers 6-30; Tevin Moore 6-12; Kelvin Bourrage 2-14; Thad Miller 2 – minus 14.
 
Passing
JCJC – Thad Miller 8-17-0 85; Kelvin Bourrage 0-1-0 0.
 
Receiving
JCJC– Barry Gibson 2-36; Logan Scott 2-28; Carlos Burse 1-10; Tevin Moore 1-5; Kyle Oliver 1-3; Nate Cohen 1-3.