CLARKSDALE – Fourth-ranked Jones College had a difficult season opener here Thursday night at James E. Miller Stadium.

The Bobcats had five turnovers, two blocked field goals and mustered only 134 yards of total offense as they dropped an 18-10 decision to the Coahoma Tigers. 

The Jones defense limited Coahoma to only 10 first downs and forced four turnovers. But the Tigers were able to hit a couple of long passes for touchdowns and also scored after recovering a fumble at the Jones 2-yard line.

Coahoma drove 65 yards in five plays for the game's first score. Quarterback Tajh Tolbert found Deldrionn Amos for a 35-yard strike with 2:42 showing in the opening quarter. Chei Hill blocked the extra point and Coahoma led 6-0.

The Bobcats only touchdown of the game came in the second quarter when Nataurean Watts blocked a punt and Rakeim Ashford recovered it in the end zone. Cristofer Thompson's conversion gave Jones a 7-6 lead with 12:02 left in the first half.

Coahoma took the lead for good early in the second half.

After forcing the Bobcats into a three-and-out to start the half, the Tigers took over on their own 33-yard line after a punt by Greg Hayden.

On the next play, Tolbert found Amos for a 77-yard touchdown strike. The extra point attempt failed, but the Tigers led 12-7 with 13:30 left in the third quarter.

Moments later, the Bobcats fumbled the ball and Coahoma recovered at the Jones 2.  Dewayne Betts carried the ball in for a touchdown on the next play. The extra point was blocked by Johnny Banks, but the Tigers led 18-7 with 9:09 to play in the third quarter.

The Bobcats put together its longest drive of the night early in the fourth quarter.

Jones drove 66 yards in 11 plays and got a 29-yard field goal from Thompson to make it 18-10 with 10:32 left in the game.

Jones would drive to the Coahoma 29 on its next possession, but turned the ball over on downs with 4:19 remaining.

The Bobcats had one final opportunity. 

They started at their own 41 with 2:26 left to play. Jones moved steadily downfield and would face a fourth-and-1 at the Tiger 23. But a dropped pass would end the threat with 52 seconds to play and Coahoma was able to run out the clock.

Ashford had two interceptions, a fumble recovery and three pass breakups for Jones. JD Rutherford led the Bobcat defense with seven tackles and James Williams added six. The Bobcats had 11 tackles for loss and four quarterback sacks. Kenderian Dixon had two blocked kicks. 

For the Bobcat offense, quarterback Fred Barnum was 7-of-20 for 48 yards and quarterback Quaterius Hawkins was 5-of-9 for 27 yards. Ladamian Webb rushed 21 times for 79 yards and Jacory Rankin had four catches for 18 yards.

Tolbert was 9-of-24 for 213 yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions for CCC. Tyler Grim rushed 10 times for 42 yards and Amos had the two touchdown catches for 112 yards. 

Defensively, lineman Guy Thomas had 12 tackles and 2.5 tackles for loss to pace the Tigers.

The Bobcats will take another long road trip next week. Jones travels to Holmes for a 6:30 p.m. kickoff on Sept. 5. The game will air on www.JCJC.TV and SuperTalk WLAU-FM, 99.3, with Mark Easley and Luke Johnson on the call.

Holmes lost 27-21 at No. 17 Copiah-Lincoln in its opener. Coahoma goes to No. 12 Mississippi Gulf Coast on Sept. 5.