The road was not kind for the Southwest Bears Thursday night as they dropped a 69-0 decision to the 5th-ranked East Mississippi Lions in Scooba. With the loss, the Bears fell to 1-2 on the year while the Lions remained undefeated at 3-0.
"It was a bad night for Southwest in every shape, form and fashion," said Bears' head coach Tucker Peavey. "We got beat in every position on the field and it tells us that we've got to work harder. Our guys have to be able to evaluate themselves and be honest with themselves. If they can, we can move on. If we don't, then we're going to be stuck in the same pattern we are right now."
"You've got to give East Mississippi credit," Peavey went on, "they've got a great football team. They're great athletes. They're big, they're fast. But, at the end of the day, we didn't help ourselves. That's what's discouraging."
The Bears fell behind early as East Mississippi scored four times in the first quarter. Dontreal Pruitt tossed touchdown passes to three different receivers and ran for another score. Drew White booted the extra points for a 28-0 lead.
The Lions then added four more touchdowns, three on Pruitt passes, in the second quarter to move out to a 55-0 lead at the half. Two more scores in the third quarter brought about the final score.
East Mississippi held the Bears to 117 total yards and seven first downs on the night. Jamil Golden completed four of 14 passes for 36 yards with Latraevian McKenzie catching two for 23 yards. Chris Jones rushed 14 times for 53 yards.
Troy Egana topped the Bears' defense with 13 total tackles. C. J. O'Quin registered 11 stops. Taylor Smith averaged 37.5 yards on eight punts.
The Lions picked up 629 total yards and 28 first downs. Pruitt completed 19 of 25 passes for 301 yards, with six touchdowns, to nine receivers.
Lakenderic Thomas ran the ball 10 times for 113 yards.
Southwest returns home on September 19 to begin MACJC South Division play against the East Central Warriors (0-3). East Central was defeated by Co-Lin Thursday night, 23-0.
