Bulldogs season opener set for Thursday in Goodman

The 2024 Holmes Community College Bulldogs returned to the MACCC playoffs for the first time since 2002, and 25 returning players look to keep the momentum heading into the 2025 season. Holmes kicks off the 2025 season vs. Southwest in Goodman Thursday at 6:30 p.m.

The Bulldogs finished the 2024 campaign, 7-3 overall and 4-2 in the North Division. The Bulldogs averaged 371.6 yards per game (282.3 passing and 89.3 rushing). The Bulldogs were second in the NJCAA in passing yards per game (282.3), 11^th in points per game (33.1) and seventh in passing touchdowns (24).

Offensive returners include: Hubert Broadnax, lineman, Gulfport; Cayden Burger, receiver, Petal; Brandon Elam, lineman, Brandon; B.J. Johnson, receiver, Greene County; Cam Joseph, receiver, Gulfport; Sean McGill, lineman, Gulfport; Braylon McKinion, lineman, Northwest Rankin; Kayden Miller, wide receiver/running back, Greene County; Cole Parker, lineman, MRA; Tristin Purnell, receiver, Winona; Chase Richardson, quarterback, Winona; Jaylin Rogers, lineman, Union; Easton Sartin, running back, Bogue Chitto; and Jekerious Williams, receiver, Grenada.

Richardson finished 10^th in the NJCAA with 181 passing yards per game (169-of-275). He threw for 16 touchdowns in his rookie campaign. Miller led the Bulldogs in rushing with 224 yards and one touchdown while Richardson had 218 yards and five touchdowns.

Of the returning receivers, Johnson led with 377 yards on 27 receptions while Burger had 318 yards on 37 catches, Purnell had 291 yards on 20 catches and Cam Joseph had 209 yards on 13 catches.

Offensive newcomers include: Jordyn Ashford, lineman, Choctaw County; Dewayne Brown, lineman, Yazoo County; KrisJeohn Burks, receivers, Gulfport; Jaliel Cameron, receiver, Quitman; Erik Gilkey, quarterback, Canton; Jamarius Grayer, athlete, Copiah Academy; Zauri Hughes, tight end, Hillcrest, Ala.; Jer'Kel Ivy, receiver, East Webster; Dalyn Jackson, receiver, Demopolis, Ala./UWA; Zion Jones, lineman, Heidelberg; DeCorey Knight, athlete, Vicksburg; Cole McCarty, quarterback, Moody, Ala.; Don McGee, lineman, Yazoo County; Jon Stephens, lineman, Mary G. Montgomery, Ala.; D.J. Welch, receiver, Noxubee County; and J.J. Harrell, receiver, North Panola.

Defensive returners include: Jeremy Atkins, defensive back, West Jefferson, La.; Malik Bell, defensive line, Oxford; Montaine Bonner, defensive line, Oxford; Landon Carson, defensive lineman, Frisco, Texas; Kebian Gilmore, linebacker, Clarksdale; P.J. Pace, defensive back, Kosciusko; Chance Richardson, defensive back, Winona; Kam'Ron Robinson, defensive back, Winona; Jake Rodgers, linebacker, West Lauderdale; and E.J. Segrest, linebacker, Copiah Academy.

Segrest finished the 2024 season with 59 tackles including seven TFL and 2.5 sacks and one interception return for a touchdown. Pace had 50 tackles and two pass breakups. Gilmore had 33 tackles including 2.5 TFL and  .5 sacks and Atkins had 22 tackles with three breakups and two fumble recoveries.

Defensive newcomers include: Ja'Marion Bennett, defensive back, Hillcrest, Ala.; Martavious Brown, linebacker, McComb; Jamyran Cross, defensive back, Kosciusko; DeKasei Crump, defensive back, Warren Central; Jamoris Davis, lineman, Coral Shores, Fla.; Kendrick Davis, linebacker, Hillcrest, Ala./UNA transfer; Sebastian Ford II, lineman/linebacker, Pascagoula; Ekeeleum Grant, linebacker, Holmes County Central; Tyricco Henderson, lineman, Canton; Jayden Hicks, defensive end/linebacker, New Albany; Eddie Holly, linebacker, Coral Shores, Fla.; Kamar Houston, defensive back, Oxford; Zauri Hughes, defensive end, Hillcrest, Ala.; Jaylon Ina, lineman, Franklin, La.; Nicholas Kilpatrick, defensive back, William Raines/WCU; Elijah O'Briant, linebacker, East Webster; Jordan O'Briant, defensive back, East Webster; Trey Pettway, lineman, Williamson, Ala; L.J. Reynolds, lineman, Warren Central; Jalen Smith, linebacker, Canton; Jamar Teague, defensive back, Holmes County Central; Malachi Williams, linebacker, Holmes County Central; Nireek Sharpe, defensive back, Stockbridge, Ga; and Kaden Briggs, lineman, Pleasure Ridge Park.

Kicker Dan Lindsay (Central Holmes) returns at kicker for the Bulldogs. Joining him are newcomers Connor Helms (Winona) at longsnapper and Colston Bennett as kicker/punter.

Coaches

Head Coach Marcus Wood is in his fourth year as head coach of the Bulldogs. Returning coaches from the 2024 staff include C.J. Johnson as Assistant Head Coach/Defensive Coordinator/Linebacker Coach; Kam Myers as Offensive Coordinator/Wide Receivers Coach; and DeAndre Johnson as Quarterbacks Coach and Pass Game Coordinator. New coaches include: Jermaine Jones as Recruiting Coordinator and Offensive Line Coach; Derek Welch as Special Teams Coordinator and Defensive Backs Coach; and Brandon Varner as Strength and Conditioning Coordinator and Defensive Line Coach.

Schedule
August

Thu. 28                VS Southwest Mississippi Community College *                                 6:30 PM              

September

Thu. 4                   AT Copiah-Lincoln Community College                                                 6:30 PM              

Thu. 11                AT Coahoma Community College * ^                                                    7 PM     

Thu. 18                VS Northeast Mississippi Community College *                                  6:30 PM              

Sat. 27                  AT Jones College *                                                                                      2 PM     

October

Thu. 9                   AT Mississippi Delta Community College * ^                                       7 PM     

Thu. 16                VS Itawamba Community College * ^                                                    6:30 PM              

Thu. 23                VS Northwest Mississippi Community College * ^                             3 PM     

Thu. 30                AT East Mississippi Community College * ^                                         7 PM