ELLISVILLE – It was another narrow escape for fifth-ranked Jones College.
Jamison Kelly (Columbia) intercepted a pass at his own 5-yard line with 1:23 remaining to seal the Bobcats' 16-10 victory over Pearl River in the 92nd edition of the "Catfight" here on a beautiful Homecoming, Saturday afternoon at Bobcat Stadium/Sim Cooley Field.
Over 4,000 fans were in attendance as Jones improved its series lead to 48-42-2 and have now won six consecutive over PRCC.
Jones improved to 6-0 overall and 4-0 in the MACCC South Division. The Wildcats drop to 3-3 overall, 1-2 in division play.
The game was a slugfest from the start.
The Bobcats had 17 first downs, 166 yards rushing, 94 yards passing and 260 yards of total offense. Pearl River was limited to 13 first downs, 150 yards rushing and only 42 yards passing and 192 yards of total offense.
Individually,
Robert Henry (Lumberton) carried 31 times for 136 yards and one touchdown. Henry now has 916 yards on the year, which leads NJCAA Division I. His 14 rushing touchdowns also leads the nation.
Defensively,
Janirr Wade (Stone Mountain, Georgia) led the way with nine tackles,
Raymond Collins (Harrison Central) had eight and Kelly and
Travor Randle (Greenwood) each had six. Collins,
Adarius Haynes (Oak Grove),
Lardarius Webb Jr. (Jackson Academy) and
Rashad Williams (New Hope) each had a tackle for loss.
Pearl River got on the board first, taking advantage of a Bobcat turnover.
Kam Norwood intercepted an
Alan Follis (West Jones) pass and returned it to his own 43.
Three plays later, Nick Milsap rushed seven yards for a touchdown. Michael Owens made the extra point and the Wildcats led 7-0 with 6:52 to play in the opening quarter. The big play in the drive was a 42-yard run by Christopher Holifield Jr.
The Bobcats answered by taking the ensuing kickoff and driving 48 yards in 12 plays to get some points.
Yohan Thompson's (Adams County Christian School) 38-yard field goal made it 7-3 with 2:05 to play in the first quarter.
A huge special teams' play would help the Bobcats take the field late in the first half.
Jones was forced to punt from its own 11-yard line and
Brody Pierce (Starkville Academy) booted it to the 43. But the ball struck a PRCC player and
Trent Howell (George County) recovered the ball for Jones.
The Bobcats put together a 57-yard, five-play drive with Henry scoring on a two-yard run. Thompson's PAT made it 10-7 with just 23 seconds remaining in the second quarter.
Jones continued that momentum to the start of the third quarter.
Jerry Johnson Jr. (Pearl) returned the second half kickoff 35 yards to his own 49.
The Bobcats then marched 51 yards in 11 plays with Follis scoring on an eight-yard run on a third and goal play. The extra point attempt failed and the Bobcats led 16-7 with 9:46 remaining in the third quarter.
Pearl River took advantage of another interception to cut into the lead.
Bryan Whitehead II intercepted a pass and the Wildcats were in business at the Bobcat 10 with a first and goal. However, the Jones' defense held and Owens booted a 28-yard field goal with 4:17 left in the third quarter to make it 16-10.
The Wildcats put together a drive early in the fourth quarter and moved to the Bobcat 31. However, PRCC turned the ball over on downs.
Jones then took the ball and drove 48 yards in 11 plays and used up almost six minutes of the clock. But Thompson's 38-yard field goal attempt was wide with 4:03 left in the game.
PRCC then drove from their 21 to the Bobcat 31.
But facing a 2nd-and-six, Lawson Pratt's pass was picked off by Kelly to clinch the victory.
The Bobcats will play their final regular season home game on Oct. 13 against Southwest. It's Scouts Night and championship ring night.
Pearl River hosts Copiah-Lincoln on Oct. 13.
