By Shawn Wansley
JCJC Sports Information Director
CLARKSDALE – Jones County Junior College used an overwhelming second half performance to defeat Coahoma Community College, 33-16 here Thursday evening at James E. Miller Stadium.
The Bobcats only led 12-10 at halftime and had an 88-87 yard advantage in total offense.
But Jones outscored the Tigers 21-6 and outgained the hosts, 265-138, in the second half.
Quarterback Detric Hawthorn (Collins) rushed 11 times for 97 yards and a touchdown, while running back Scott Phillips (South Jones) had 24 carries for 84 yards and a score.
Defensively, linebacker Jordyn Bowlin (Starkville) recovered a fumbled kickoff in the end zone for a touchdown and linebacker Derric Hawthorn (Collins) also had a fumble recovery.
Punter Taylor Wallace (Jackson Prep) was sound all evening, averaging 40.0 yards per kick on five punts, including one being downed on the Tiger 4-yard line.
JCJC got off to a good start.
The Bobcats got a 32-yard kickoff return from Fred Peters (Columbia) out to his own 46.
Eight plays later, Mike Kroeze (Madison Central) kicked a 29-yard field goal to give Jones a 3-0 lead with 10:49 left in the first quarter.
Coahoma was forced to punt on its opening possession. Punter Mujahed Ibrihim fielded a low snap and tried to run for the first down, but was stopped at his own 14.
JCJC could not get a first down and Kroeze booted a 23-yard field goal to give Jones a 6-0 lead with 7:51 left in the first quarter.
Coahoma’s Eric Moore then fumbled the ensuing kickoff.
The ball was knocked loose in the end zone and Bowlin recovered it for a touchdown. The extra point was no good, but JCJC led 12-0 midway through the first quarter.
Early in the second quarter, the Tigers recovered a fumble at the Bobcat 23.
Five plays later, Ibrihim made a 28-yard field goal to make it 12-3 with 10:06 showing.
Another turnover led to Coahoma’s first touchdown, as the Tigers recovered a JCJC fumble at the Bobcat 38.
Nine plays later, quarterback Trey Mitchell scored on a quarterback sneak on fourth and goal at the 1. Ibrihim’s PAT made it 12-10 with 2:34 left in the first half.
On JCJC’s second possession of the second half, the Bobcats would drive 59 yards in nine plays.
DeShawn Smith (Brooksville, Florida) ended the drive with a determined 11-yard run where he broke several tackles and forced his way into the end zone. Kroeze’s extra point gave JCJC a 19-10 lead with 6:38 left in the third quarter.
Midway through the fourth quarter, Coahoma had moved into Bobcat territory.
However, JCJC forced a fumble and Derric Hawthorn recovered at the Bobcat 49.
Eight plays later, Phillips scored on a 3-yard run. Kroeze’s kick gave Jones a 26-10 lead with 4:13 left to play.
But the Tigers took the ensuing kickoff and went 66 yards in five plays – all on runs by Jaylin Jones. His fifth carry of the drive was a 20-yard touchdown run. Coahoma went for two points, but the pass attempt failed, leaving the Bobcats with a 26-16 lead with 2:07 to play.
Coahoma’s onside kick attempt went out of bounds and JCJC took over at the Tiger 40.
Five plays later, Detric Hawthorn scored on a 17-yard run. Kroeze’s PAT ended the scoring with just 14 seconds remaining to play.
