Bears overcome Coahoma in overtime, 17-10, to close out Homecoming

By: Michael D. Gunnell, Southwest Sports Information

Chuck Barnes

Football | 10/10/2015 9:34:00 PM

It was a struggle, but in the end the Southwest Bears stepped up when they had to and pulled out a heart-stopping 17-10 overtime win over the visiting Coahoma Tigers to put a successful end to Homecoming 2015. A 19-yard Sidney Davis, Jr. to Shuntez Smith pass on the second play of overtime, and Reed James ' PAT, gave the Bears the lead and the defense then sealed the deal.

The win moved the Bears to 3-4 on the season (they are 1-3 in the MACJC South Division) while Coahoma dropped to 0-7 (they are 0-4 in the North Division).

The Tigers held a 7-0 lead after the first quarter of play. Quarterback Dominic Marino ran 14 yards to paydirt with 1:50 on the clock to close out a seven play, 80-yard drive. Kian Richard booted the extra point.

The Bears scored on back-to-back possessions in the second quarter to push out to a 10-7 halftime lead. A
Czachovaski "CJ" Johnson fumble recovery helped set up a 42-yard Casey Haygood to Smith touchdown pass with 1:49 before the half. James added the extra point and then notched a 26-yard field goal with 0:04 on the clock to close out the first-half scoring.

After a scoreless third quarter, the Tigers tied the game at 10-10 on Richard's 36-yard field goal with 14:54 left in the fourth quarter. They had a chance to win the game in regulation, but Richard's 30-yard field goal attempt went wide left as the clock hit 0:00.

The Bears had the ball first in overtime and, after a six-yard gain, Haygood tossed the ball to Davis who then found Smith on the winning end of a 19-yard pass.

The Tigers had a chance to force a second overtime, but a pass on fourth and goal was unsuccessful, ending the game.

"There's no team in America that's going to deal with as many injuries as we've got, as many starters as we've got out and not struggle," said Bears' head coach Tucker Peavey after the game. "But, these kids keep fighting and they keep playing and we put ourselves in a position to win the game and that's what they did (tonight). It's a credit to these guys that they keep coming to work and keep trying."

Despite their struggles, the Bears had 362 yards of total offense in the game. Haygood led the way by completing 18 of 32 passes for 240 yards and a touchdown. He was intercepted once. Davis, Jr., completed his only pass for the game-winning 19-yard touchdown.

Davis, Jr., led the Bears in receiving with six catches for 86 yards. Kameron Williams and Clifford Fernandez both had five catches for 56 and 49 yards, respectively. Smith hauled in two passes for 61 yards and two touchdowns.
Mike Macon also had a reception.

Justin Blue carried the ball 15 times for 59 yards to lead the Bears' ground game.

The Bears had 13 first downs in the game and were penalized four times for 39 yards. Brandon Mancuso averaged 37.3 yards on four punts.

The Tigers registered 277 yards of offense. Steven Barnes paced the visitors with 113 yards on 25 carries. Marino carried the ball 14 times for 86 yards and a touchdown.

Marino completed 15 of 29 passes for 76 yards and had one pass picked off.

The Tigers had 18 first downs in the game and were penalized four times for 48 yards. Richard punted seven times for 36.9 yards.

The Bears hit the road for their next game as they travel to Decatur on October 17 to face East Central. Kickoff is set for 2:30.

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Players Mentioned

#2 Sidney Davis, Jr.: 5' 11"; Freshman

#4 Shuntez Smith: 5' 10"; Sophomore

#7 Kameron Williams: 6' 0"; Sophomore

#10 Mike Macon: 5' 11"; Freshman

#14 Clifford Fernandez: 6' 5"; Sophomore

#16 Casey Haygood: 6' 4"; Freshman

#22 Justin Blue: 5' 8"; Sophomore

#29 Czachovaski "CJ" Johnson: 6' 0"; Sophomore

#34 Brandon Mancuso: 5' 10"; Sophomore

#36 Reed James: 5' 10"; Sophomore

Players Mentioned

#2 Sidney Davis, Jr.
: 5' 11"; Freshman

#4 Shuntez Smith
: 5' 10"; Sophomore

#7 Kameron Williams
: 6' 0"; Sophomore

#10 Mike Macon
: 5' 11"; Freshman

#14 Clifford Fernandez
: 6' 5"; Sophomore

#16 Casey Haygood
: 6' 4"; Freshman

#22 Justin Blue
: 5' 8"; Sophomore

#29 Czachovaski "CJ" Johnson
: 6' 0"; Sophomore

#34 Brandon Mancuso
: 5' 10"; Sophomore

#36 Reed James
: 5' 10"; Sophomore

Southwest Mississippi Community College

Scoreboard

Bears overcome Coahoma in overtime, 17-10, to close out Homecoming

Players Mentioned

#2 Sidney Davis, Jr.

#4 Shuntez Smith

#7 Kameron Williams

#10 Mike Macon

#14 Clifford Fernandez

#16 Casey Haygood

#22 Justin Blue

#29 Czachovaski "CJ" Johnson

#34 Brandon Mancuso

#36 Reed James

Players Mentioned

#2 Sidney Davis, Jr.

#4 Shuntez Smith

#7 Kameron Williams

#10 Mike Macon

#14 Clifford Fernandez

#16 Casey Haygood

#22 Justin Blue

#29 Czachovaski "CJ" Johnson

#34 Brandon Mancuso

#36 Reed James