Hoping to get a win and not only wrap up the season on a high note but also give the many out-going sophomores a great final memory as a member of the Bear Football Team, Southwest welcomed in Holmes Thursday evening in the 2023 finale. And despite getting off to a strong start and putting forth a strong effort nearly the entire first, the Bears lost focus about halfway through the second quarter and could not recover as Holmes walked away with a 45-21 win.
 
"Our guys, they have to make plays," Southwest head coach Cliff Collins said. "Their guys made plays and our guys did not. This offseason is going to be big and we are going to get right back at it next week and I am going to find guys that really want to be a part of this program and that are tough. We have a good football team and I've been saying that all year. We have talent and we just have to put it together."
 
The Bear defense got the call first after the Bulldogs won the toss and elected to receive. Holmes was able to maneuver down the field and light up their end of the scoreboard first on a 19yd touchdown pass.
 
Southwest (1-8, 0-6 MACCC South) answered and in a big way. A 61-yard touchdown pass from Quez Goss to Tyler Daniels brought the many at John I. Hurst Stadium to their feet and tied the game at 7.
 
The score provided a big boost as Southwest followed it up with another touchdown, this time on the ground. Tyler Reed got into the act with a 9-yard touchdown run and coupled with a Lyndell Boatman PAT, the Bears took their first lead of the game at 14-7.
 
The momentum, however, did not last long as the Bulldogs regained their composure and tied the game at 14. But the back-and-forth battle ensued and Southwest once again grabbed the upper hand with another long touchdown pass from Goss to Daniels, this time from 79 yards out.
 
Towards the latter stages of the second quarter, however, the Bears began to lose steam. The Bulldogs rattled-off two consecutive touchdowns in about 3:00 of play before adding another with :40 to go in the first half, making it a 35-21 deficit for Southwest.
 
Things unfortunately didn't get better for the Bears in the second half. After regaining possession, Holmes scored once again on another touchdown pass, making it a 42-21 game. The scoring was rounded out later in the quarter when the Bulldogs added a field goal.

Goss led the Bear offense with 230 yards and two touchdowns on 14-of-28 passing. Daniels had three catches for 138 yards and two touchdowns.
 
Defensively, Danarius Hilliard once again finished towards the top of the list in tackles for the Bears as he and Tyler Ellzey both recorded nine. Hilliard also added a half of a sack and two tackles for loss. Jameer Lewis wrapped his Bear career in a big way with a new career high in sacks with four.  
 
 
NOTE: Prior to the game, 30 sophomores were recognized during a Sophomore Day ceremony.