POPLARVILLE, Miss. — The 2024 season came to a close Thursday night inside Dobie Holden Stadium as the Pearl River football team fell against rival Jones College, 16-10.
"The defense was great, our offense was below average and we struggled on special teams," head coach Seth Smith said. "You've got to be good in all three phases. That's what has cost us the last few weeks."
It was a year full of highs for the Wildcats, who finished 4-5 on the season. PRCC opened the year by beating then-No. 7 Northwest. The Rangers have not lost a game since. The Wildcats went 2-0 in their first two MACCC South contests, which included a victory over the eventual South Division Champion, East Central. PRCC then defeated last season's national runner-up in East Mississippi.
Pearl River improved on both sides of the ball in 2024. Under first-year offensive coordinator David Boykin, the Wildcats improved from 257 yards of offense per game last season to 328.9 yards in 2024. Also, PRCC scored 19.3 points per game compared to 13.4 a season ago.
On defense, PRCC allowed over 40 yards less per game and trimmed its points allowed down from 30.1 per game to 23.7.
"At first, it was brick by brick, then it was that we were getting closer," Smith said. "Now I genuinely feel like we are almost there."
SCORING SUMMARY
Pearl River (4-5 overall; 2-4 MACCC South) stood tall on defense on Jones College's (5-4; 3-3) first drive of the night. The Bobcats made it all the way down to a first and goal from the 1-yard line before PRCC's defensive unit denied them an opportunity to get into the endzone. The Bobcats were forced to settle for a field goal, nailing a 24-yarder, 3-0.
On the first Bobcat drive of the second quarter, Pearl River created a turnover. The quarterback dropped back to pass, and his throw was batted at the line. Sophomore defensive back Quandarius Keyes (Laurel) was in the right place at the right time as he plucked it out of the air for his first interception of the year.
The field goal was all the points scored between the teams in the first half as they entered the locker rooms in a 3-0 battle.
JC's first drive of the second half resulted in points. A 56-yard completion down the right side of the field allowed the Bobcats to get into PRCC's territory, and a 10-yard rush put them at the Wildcat 3-yard line. One handoff later, JC led 9-0. The ensuing PAT was no good. Pearl River scored on the following drive, and the touchdown came in interesting fashion. Kabe Barnett (Hattiesburg; Oak Grove) rolled out to his right and completed a pass to Howard Kinchen (Lafayette, La.; Patterson). The freshman went sprinting up the field, but the ball was ripped out of his hands for a fumble. Neither team could jump on top of the loose ball and kicked it all the way down to the Bobcat 1-yard line, where Shadamien Williamson (Waynesboro; Wayne County) fell on it. The next carry went his way, and he walked straight in for the score, 9-7.
Jones College struck back on their next drive, using eight plays to go 75 yards for the score. The drive was punctuated by a 13-yard touchdown pass, 16-7.
Another turnover created by the Wildcat defense helped get PRCC's next scoring drive started. The Bobcats opted to throw the ball deep, targeting sophomore Jadarrius Gordon (Canton). Gordon made Jones College pay for throwing at him by snatching the ball out of the air for his second interception in as many weeks.
The momentum swing helped PRCC move the ball effectively on the follow-up drive. After a few solid rush attempts, Barnett darted straight up the middle for a big 21-yard gain. A few rushes, a pass interference, and a Barnett to Martavious Reed (Forest; Scott Central) connection later, and PRCC was at the JC 30-yard line. The drive stalled out a little bit later, and Morgan Craft (Picayue) booted a 26-yard field goal through the uprights, 16-10.
Jones picked up three first downs to milk the clock and secure the victory.
STATISTICALLY SPEAKING
Barnett and Ian González (Mexico City, Mexico; St. Stanislaus) combined for 133 yards through the air on six completions.
Barnett led PRCC's rushing attack with 88 yards on seven attempts. Jacobi Jefferson (Slidell, La.; Salmen) had 39 yards on nine carries. González finished with 31 yards on five attempts.
Reed was the go-to in the passing game, catching three passes for 40 yards. Javonta Caldwell (Laurel) tallied two catches for 19 yards.
Trace Carter (Ocean Springs) had a fantastic night on defense, collecting a team-high 10 tackles and 1.5 tackles for loss. He also blocked a field goal attempt. Gordon was second with eight tackles and an interception.
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