Jones shocks #1 MGCCC 35-28

ELLISVILLE---They say getting to the top isn't the tough part…staying there is.

  No. 1 ranked Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College found that out the hard way Saturday Night as Jones put up 28 unanswered points then held off a furious rally toupset the Bulldogs 35-28.

  "That team took it to us tonight," said Gulf Coast head coach Steve Campbell. "Give them credit. They made the plays when they needed to."

  The loss snapped an eight game winning streak over Jones dating back to 2004 and was the first MACJC South Division setback by the Bulldogs since 2010. It also knocks Gulf Coast out of the No. 1 ranking in the NJCAA poll.

   A different outcome seemed to be unfolding as the Bulldogs (3-1, 1-1) opened up a 14-0 lead thanks to a couple of 1-yard TD runs by quarterback Clint Hatten.

   Jones got on the board in the second quarter on a 43-yard TD pass from Ben Stevens to RuebenDucksworth which was answered by an 11-yard TD pass from Hatten to Cade Amacker making it 21-7 Bulldogs with 4:22 remaining in the first half.

   That's when the Bobcats (3-1, 2-0) began their 28-point outburst.

   Stevens, who went 23-33 for 289 yards and 4 touchdowns, found Stephanio McNair for a score from 11-yards out to cut the lead to seven at halftime.

   Jones took the momentum into the third quarter by tying the game on a 70-yard TD pass fromStevens to Dylan Bossier and taking the lead on a 31-yard TD run by Kalif Koen.

   Midway through the fourth quarter Stevens found Taylor Higgason for a 60-yard score and a 35-21 lead with six minutes remaining.

   Three minutes later, the Bulldogs got back in the end zone when Hatten hit Dhaquille Williams on a 37-yard TD pass making it 35-28 with 3:41 left.

  The Bulldog special teams unit executed a perfect onside kick and eventually drove the ball to the Jones five-yard line with 1:05 left. But a valiant goal-line stand by the Bobcats ended the threat and sealed the fate for this week's No. 1 team in the Nation.

   For the game, Hatten was 21 of 35 for 253 yards, 2 TD'S, and 1 interception with Dhaquille Williams caught snagging 16 of those passes for 200 yards and a score.

   The telling statistics of the contest were that Jones outgained Gulf Coast on the ground (210 yards) and held the vaunted Bulldog running attack to 61 yards.

  "The guys fought hard to get back in the game, but the hole we were in was too deep," Campbell added. "We have to regroup on a short week and get ready for the next one."

   Gulf Coast will play its second game in five days Thursday, Sept. 27 at home against Northeast. Bulldog fans can watch all the action via streaming video at www.mgcccbulldogs.com and listen on 103.1 FM WOSM. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m.

photo: MGCCC'S Dhaquille Williams beats Jones defender Corey trim (17) for a 37-yard TD pass Sept. 22.