Northwest scores 21 points in the final quarter to pull off 28-14 win over Holmes
GOODMAN --- The Northwest Mississippi Community College Rangers scored 21 points in the fourth quarter to pull off a 28-14 over the Holmes Community College Bulldogs here Thursday night.
With the loss, the Bulldogs fell to 2-4 overall and 1-2 in the North Division. Holmes travels to East Mississippi next Thursday night. The game can be heard on the Bulldog Football Network or watched live at holmesccmedia.com.
Holmes jumped out to a 7-0 lead with 2:58 remaining in the first quarter when freshman running back Dre Massey broke free on a 59-yard touchdown run. Cole Ballard's kick was good.
The Bulldogs held the lead until 5:17 left in the second quarter when the Rangers tied the game on a one yard Justin Crawford run and a Jim Speights extra point.
Northwest had a chance to score late in the first half when the Rangers started a drive from the Holmes 46 yard line. The Rangers were aided by two questionable pass interference calls to give them first and goal from the two with 23 seconds left in the half. A big stop by Theron Hodges on first down and then another stop by Willie Cooper and Antreon Bennett forced the clock to run out because the Rangers were without a timeout.
The Rangers had the ball late in the third quarter and into the fourth quarter and gave the ball to Crawford five straight times when he scored from 31 yards out to give the Rangers the 14-7 lead after Speights' extra point was good with 14:17 remaining in the game.
Northwest then took advantage of a short field when they started a drive from the Holmes 33 after a punt. Crawford ran the ball once to the 14 before the Bulldogs were flagged for a facemask penalty set the Rangers up first and goal from the seven. Crawford then scored from seven yards out to make the score 21-7 with 12:08 left in the game after Speights' extra point was good.
Holmes answered the score on the next drive that started at the Holmes 35. Sophomore quarterback Jamario Benson weaved his way in from 16 yards out with 10:17 to pull the Bulldogs to within seven points at 21-14 after Ballard's extra point was good.
Northwest took advantage of another Bulldog miscue when Holmes punt returner Odell Spencer fumbled a punt at the 18 after being hit by D'Andre Brown. Crawford scored his fourth touchdown of the night two plays later from 16 yards out, and Northwest led 28-14 after Speights' extra point was good with 42 seconds left in the game.
Benson led the Bulldogs in rushing with 107 yards on 22 carries while Drew Massey had 69 yards on five carries and Mitchell Cunningham had 48 yards on 11 carries. Andrew Walker and Antreon Bennett each finished the game with 10 tackles with Walker having 2.5 tackles for loss and Bennett had two tackles for loss. Cooper had 2.5 tackles for loss while Theron Hodges and Mohamed Camara each had one. Jamal Veazey added an interception for the Bulldogs.