Resilient Bulldogs grind past Holmes 36-7
PERKINSTON---The Nation's #1 JUCO football team wasn't at its best Thursday against Holmes, but it was good when it had to be.
Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College used a touchdown off a fake field goal and two defensive scores in a 36-7, grind-it-out victory over Holmes.
The win sets up an MACJC South Division opening showdown with 2-0 Hinds next Thursday in Raymond.
"I'm proud of the way our unit stayed resilient throughout a tough game," said Gulf Coast head coach Steve Campbell. "We found a way to win."
The 2-0 Bulldogs, the NJCAA'S #1 team, won despite injuries to three key players and an offensive attack that racked up lots of yards but struggled to find the end zone.
Gulf Coast took a 3-0 lead in the first quarter after an interception by Darius Jones helped set up a 21-yard field goal by freshman kicker Tristan Reynolds.
In the second quarter, NJCAA All-American wide receiver Dhaquille Williams took in a screen pass, eluded the Holmes defense, and scampered 55 yards to set up his team's next score, a 3-yard touchdown run by Justin Brister. Seven minutes later, the Bulldogs went to their bag of tricks. After lining up for a field goal attempt, holder Kevin Phillips took the snap and threw it to a wide open Dhaquille Williams for a 20-yard score and a 17-0 nothing halftime lead. Williams caught 5 passes for 92 yards and a TD but left the game in the second half with a back injury.
The third quarter saw the Gulf Coast defense unleash its fury on Holmes (0-2), as linebacker Elijah Parker sacked Holmes quarterback Payne Horan near his own goal line. Tim Oster recovered Horan's fumble in the end zone for a score. A minute later, linebacker Trey Wafford scooped up a Holmes fumble and took it 33 yards to make it 30-7. It's the second week in a row that Wafford has scored a touchdown on a fumble recovery. In all, the Bulldog defense forced four turnovers and tallied five sacks in the victory despite losing starters Josh Keys and Derrick Moncrief to injuries.
(Left): MGCCC'S Nigel Green (#9) looks on as Elijah Parker sacks Holmes QB Payne Horan and forces a fumble. Tim Oster recovered the ball for a TD in the end zone.
Freshman running back Rod Williams capped the game with a 65-yard touchdown run late in the fourth quarter, his second TD run of over 65 yards this season. Antwon Wells led the Bulldog rushing attack with 20 carries for 101 yards while freshman quarterback Terrian Page was 12 for 21 fir 168 yards passing in his first collegiate start.
"There are plenty of things we need to address if we want to continue to be successful," Campbell added, "but there are also some good things to take out of this."
