ELLISVILLE – East Central scored two touchdowns in the final 3:16, including the game-winner with 46 seconds remaining, to erase a 13-point fourth-quarter deficit and stun Jones College 41-40 Thursday night at Bobcat Stadium/Sim Cooley Field.
Wyatt Jones' 45-yard game-winning field goal attempt for Jones was blocked as time expired.
The heartbreaking loss spoiled a fantastic night for sophomore quarterback Jevarion Glover, who accounted for five touchdowns and 326 yards of total offense as the Bobcats piled up 520 yards but were shut out in the fourth quarter.
East Central (5-4, 3-2 MACCC South) has now won three straight meetings in the series after Jones (4-5, 2-3) had dominated the rivalry with seven consecutive victories.
Jones appeared headed for its second straight win after scoring 14 unanswered points in the third quarter to turn a 27-26 halftime deficit into a 40-27 advantage.
But the Warriors, held scoreless in the third quarter, mounted a furious comeback in the final minutes.
Christian Langford connected with Waymond Jenerette Jr. on a 21-yard touchdown pass with 3:16 remaining to pull East Central within 40-34.
After getting the ball back, the Warriors marched 80 yards in just eight plays and 1:25, with King White scoring on a 6-yard run with 46 seconds left. Hayden McMinn's extra point provided the winning margin.
ECCC had to convert a 4th-and-10 from its own 39-yard line to keep the drive alive.
East Central struck first on its opening possession, driving 86 yards in nine plays before Langford scored on a 17-yard run for a 7-0 lead.
Jones answered with a 12-play, 69-yard march capped by Santae McWilliams Jr.'s 1-yard touchdown run, but a missed extra point left the Bobcats trailing 7-6.
Duke McDougle's 1-yard touchdown run with 31 seconds remaining in the opening quarter pushed the Warriors' advantage to 14-6.
The second quarter featured five touchdowns as the teams traded scores in a wild offensive shootout.
Glover connected with Smith on a 63-yard touchdown pass early in the period to pull Jones within 14-13 before Langford found Jenerette for a 41-yard score to make it 21-13.
Glover answered with a 1-yard touchdown run, cutting the deficit to 21-20 with 7:20 left before halftime.
East Central capitalized on a Jones mistake on the only punt of the half that was fumbled by Jet Henderson and Reuben Bilbrew recovered the loose ball for a touchdown, extending the Warriors' lead to 27-20.
The Bobcats responded once again, marching 60 yards in seven plays before Glover scored on a 16-yard run with 1:03 remaining. Another missed extra point left Jones trailing 27-26 at intermission.
Jones took its first lead of the night on the opening possession of the second half.
Glover capped a 12-play, 67-yard drive with his third rushing touchdown, a 1-yard plunge that put the Bobcats ahead 33-27 with 10:41 remaining in the third quarter.
The Bobcats added to their advantage later in the period when Glover found Henderson for a 15-yard touchdown, completing an 11-play, 66-yard drive and extending the lead to 40-27 with 3:51 remaining.
Jones, however, would not score again.
Penalties and missed opportunities proved costly, with Jones committing 13 penalties for 95 yards and missing two extra points and a field goal.
Jenerette led East Central with six catches for 147 yards and two touchdowns. Langford completed 7 of 13 passes for 126 yards and two scores, while White threw for 111 yards and added the winning touchdown on the ground.
Defensively, Dalyn Pierce paced Jones with nine tackles, including two tackles for loss and 1.5 sacks. Delarrius Hayes and Cortland Battee added five tackles apiece.
The loss dropped Jones below .500 and marked its fourth defeat by seven points or fewer this season.
The Bobcats will close out the regular season Thursday, Oct. 29, when they travel to Raymond to face Hinds Community College.
