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Southwest Mississippi Community College

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Stowers era begins with a bang

By: Michael D. Gunnell, Southwest Sports Information
Anthony Jones
jucoweekly.org

Football | 8/30/2018 11:56:00 PM

The Tim Stowers era began with a bang Thursday night in Summit as the Southwest Bears came from behind to defeat the visiting Northeast Mississippi Tigers, 33-28, in the season-opener for both teams.
 
The win was the Bears' first at home since a 2015 defeat of Coahoma.
 
After falling behind early, 7-0, the Bears got on the board in dramatic fashion when sophomore cornerback Martavious Washington intercepted a Zac Oden pass and raced 96 yards to the end zone. The extra point attempt failed, leaving the Tigers on top 7-6 after the opening 15:00.
 
The teams again traded touchdowns in the second quarter. A two-yard scoring run by Zykeris Mosley, followed by Michael Baugus' extra point kick left the Tigers on top 14-6 with 9:12 before the end of the half.
 
Anthony Jones brought the home crowd to its feet when, with 1:46 on the clock, he took a punt at the Tigers' 45-yard line and outraced all defenders into the end zone for a score. Jack Runnels booted the extra point to leave the Bears trailing 14-13 at intermission.
 
After the Tigers extended their lead to 21-13 early in the third quarter, the Bears wasted little time in answering to draw to within 21-19. With the ball on the Bears' 27-yard line, Ladarrious Williams took a pass from Da'Bryan Magee and lumbered 73 yards into the end zone. A bad snap led to an unsuccessful extra point attempt.
 
The Tigers answered the Bears' score with one of their own. Oden completed a 10-yard pass to Montel Gladney to close out a four-play, 62-yard drive with 10:27 on the clock. Baugus nailed the extra point to put the Tigers on top 28-19.
 
The remainder of the quarter belonged to the Bears. With 8:23 before the end of the quarter, Magee found Johnny Wilson on the receiving end of a 35-yard touchdown pass to bring the Bears to within three points, 28-25. The extra point attempt failed.
 
After forcing a punt by the Tigers, the Bears took over possession of the ball on their own 42-yard line with 6:53 left in the third. Eight plays and 4:38 later, Jones raced to pay dirt for a 38-yard touchdown. Magee then carried the ball for the two-point conversion to give the Bears what would prove to be the winning points.
 
The win would not come without one last bit of drama. With fourth down and the ball on the Bears' 39-yard line, and time running out in the fourth quarter, Oden threw the ball up for grabs in the end zone. Fortunately for the Bears, the ball found its way into the hands of Julius Faulk, Jr., who pulled it in to seal the victory for the Bears.
 
"It was a great team win," head coach Stowers said. "I've been at this job just a little less four months, but I thought we did some things to kind of bring the team together to win that kind of team game."
 
"We've got to a lot better in a lot of areas," Stowers continued, "but, I thought in the fourth quarter the defense made some great plays to keep (the Tigers) out of the end zone and we grew up a little bit more in the second half."
 
The Bears totaled 259 yards of offense in the game. Magee and Carlos Rogers combined to go 7-14 through the air for 159 yards. Magee had a pair of touchdown passes.
 
Williams caught four passes for 120 yards and a touchdown while Wilson had a 35-yard scoring catch.
 
The Bears picked up 89 yards on the ground. Jones led the way with 43 yards and a touchdown on three carries.
 
The Bears picked up 14 first downs on the night and were penalized eight times for 64 yards. Runnels punted five times for 32.4 yards.
 
Mosely led the Tigers' offense with 145 yards and a touchdown on 16 rushes. Oden completed 19 of 45 passes for 169 yards.
 
The Tigers had 25 first downs in the game and were whistled for 114 yards on 17 penalties. Reed Collins punted three times for 29 yards.
 
The Bears return to the gridiron on September 6 when they host the Rangers of Northwest Mississippi for a 7:00 contest.
 
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Players Mentioned

Da

#3 Da'Bryan Magee

RB
5' 10"
Sophomore
Jack Runnels

#39 Jack Runnels

P
6' 4"
Sophomore

Players Mentioned

Da

#3 Da'Bryan Magee

5' 10"
Sophomore
RB
Jack Runnels

#39 Jack Runnels

6' 4"
Sophomore
P