Bulldogs get huge North Division win over Itawamba, 14-12
FULTON --- Holmes Community College Bulldog defensive backs Dahendrick Thompson and Kris Givens proved the old adage that defense wins games as they returned a fumble each for touchdowns. Thompson took the first one in from 34 while Givens added the other from 85 in the fourth quarter in the Bulldogs' 14-12 win over Itawamba Community College here Thursday night.
With the win, the Bulldogs went to 2-2 overall and 2-0 in the North Division. Holmes is set to play Mississippi Delta for Homecoming on Sept. 29. Gametime is 4 p.m. The game can be watched live at holmesathletics.ihigh.com or heard on the Bulldog Football Network beginning at 3 p.m. with the Jeff Koonz Coaches Show.
With the Bulldogs trailing 6-0 with just under 10 minutes to go in the game, the Indians had the ball at their own 34 yard line. On the first play of the drive, the Indians fumbled and Thompson picked the ball up and ran in for the touchdown from 34 yards out giving the Bulldogs the 7-6 lead with 9:18 after Stephan Lloyd's extra point was good.
After the teams traded punts, Itawamba got the ball at their own 27. The Indians moved all the way to the Bulldog 10. On first down from the 10, Griff Loftis attempted a pass to the right side that bounced in front of the Indian receiver, and Givens worked his magic picking up the ball and racing untouched 85 yards down the Bulldog sideline for the score. Lloyd's extra point put the Bulldogs up 14-6 with 4:07 to go in the game.
Itawamba then started their next drive after the Bulldog kickoff from their own 22. After three plays to the 31, Loftis hit Sanford Seay on a pass all the way to the Bulldog 3. Thompson dragged Seay down from behind to save the touchdown. The Bulldogs stopped Courtney Gladney on two running plays before Loftis found Adrian Brown on a two-yard touchdown pass with 1:22 to play in the game. On the two-point try, Bulldog freshman defensive back Kris Givens intercepted Loftis and preserved the Bulldog victory.
Itawamba's six points came from the leg of freshman kicker Tyler Jackson. Jackson connected on a 25-yard field goal with 4:22 to play in the first quarter. He then added a 24-yard field goal with 11:11 in the third quarter.
Holmes had a chance in the second quarter to take advantage of a Indian turnover after Tillman recovered a LaDarrell Hunt fumble at the Indian 13. On the first play, Dennis Robertson hit Daniel Huffines to the Indian one yard line. After two running plays moved the ball back to the two, Robertson fumbled to the three and Quad Freeman recovered for Itawamba.
Marquiz Edget blocked an Indian field goal attempt in the second quarter. Cedrick Tillman picked up the blocked attempt and raced down the Indian sideline to the Bulldog 45. The Bulldogs failed to score on the drive just before halftime.