ELLISVILLE – The 14th-rated Jones College Bobcats used a methodical performance to defeat Mississippi Delta 41-9 here Thursday night at Bobcat Stadium/Sim Cooley Field.
It was the 100th game in the history of the stadium and the Bobcats now own a 72-28 record at the venue.
Leading 3-0 after the opening quarter, Jones outscored the Trojans 24-3 in the second quarter to take command.
Tyreke Snow (Newton),
Chance Barron (Mendenhall) and
Kennon Loftin (West Jones) each had six tackles and
Jonathan Wiltz (Columbia) had five tackles, two tackles for loss, a sack and a quarterback hurry.
Chase Pinkston (Oak Grove) had a 47-yard interception return for a score.
Running back
Gerald Modest Jr. (Vero Beach, Fla.) had 16 carries for 64 yards and a score and had two receptions for 10 yards and a touchdown.
Harrison Knight (Foley, Ala.) had four catches for 45 yards and
Isaiah Roberts (Pompano Beach, Florida) had two receptions for 64 yards.
Brax Garrison (Tuscaloosa, Ala.) completed 11-of-23 passes for 135 yards and a score.
Blake Murphy (Plantation, Fla.) was 4-of-10 for 85 yards and two touchdowns.
Jones had 19 first downs, 151 yards rushing, 220 yards passing and 371 yards of total offense. MDCC had 13 first downs, 183 yards rushing, 91 yards passing and 274 yards of total offense.
MDCC had a chance to take the lead in the first quarter.
Marchez Boykins blocked a Bobcat punt and the Trojans took over at the Jones 33-yard line. Troy Griffin would throw an apparent 22-yard touchdown pass to Gerald Hanson, but Hanson was called for unsportsmanlike conduct as he was going into the end zone and the score was negated. The Trojans would end up missing a 32-yard field goal.
The Bobcats would put together a 67-yard, 14-play drive which ended with a 30-yard
Christian Baglione (Northwest Rankin) field goal. Jones would lead 3-0 with 1:58 to play in the opening quarter.
Pinkston would then return his interception for a touchdown on the first play of the second quarter. Baglione's extra point made it 10-0 with 14:48 showing on the clock.
Midway through the second quarter, the Bobcats were in business at the Trojan 13 after a blocked punt. Modest would score on the next play and Baglione's conversion made it 17-0 with 6:19 left in the first half.
MDCC later recovered a Bobcat fumble at the JC 21. The defense held and Ceidrick Hunt's 38-yard field goal got the Trojans on the board with 4:32 to play in the first half.
The Bobcats answered quickly, driving 75 yards in four plays. Murphy connected with
Marlon Lindsey Jr. (West Jones) on a 49-yard touchdown pass and Balgione's kick made it 24-3 with 2:47 to play before halftime.
In the fourth quarter, Jones drove 37 yards in eight plays for a touchdown. Modest caught a 7-yard scoring pass from Garrison and Baglione's PAT made it 34-3 with 9:12 remaining.
MDCC took the ensuing kickoff and drove 74 yards in six plays. Trevon Brown scored on a 2-yard run, but the conversion failed when the snap was botched and Jones led 34-9 with 7:16 to play.
Jones ended the scoring with a 54-yard, eight-play drive. Murphy hit
Shaden McCollum (Pearl) for a 5-yard touchdown and Baglione's kick was true with 1:55 left.
The Bobcats will host Coahoma at 7 p.m. on Sept. 5. The game will only air on jcbobcats.com/watch with Mark Easley and Chuck Robertson on the call.
MDCC hosts Mississippi Gulf Coast on Sept. 5.
