Box Score CLARKSDALE — Following a long road trip back up to the Mississippi Delta for a second-consecutive week, the Bears were aiming to go 2-0 on the year with a win against Coahoma.
 
But in the end, mistakes and inconsistent play proved to be too much to overcome as the Bears fell 37-32.
 
"We just made too many mistakes offensively and defensively we just couldn't stop them, we didn't tackle well and that was the outcome of it," Southwest head coach Cliff Collins said. "Our kids fought back and we had some injuries and we just had some bad luck on our side."
 
The Bears (1-1) took over first on offense and made an immediate impact as starting quarterback Quez Goss led an 11-play drive down the field before Keeghan Rodgers capped it off with a 7-yard touchdown rush. Lyndell Boatman added the PAT putting the visitors up 7-0 with 10:28 to go in the first quarter.
 
Following a successful defensive stand, Southwest added to its lead as Boatman connected on a 36-yard field goal making it a 10-0 game with 5:45 left in the first period.
 
Three minutes later, the Tigers got on the board with a touchdown pass and took advantage of a Bear turnover on the ensuing kickoff return to regain possession. They punched it in again, this time on the ground. The PAT was no good but Coahoma took its first lead at 13-10.
 
Southwest was unable to answer on offense and after regaining possession, the Tigers kept the momentum on the home side with another short touchdown run. The extra point was missed making it a 19-10 game.
 
Down but not out, the Bears pressed on and pulled closer at the 7:14 mark in the second quarter as Goss tossed a 37-yard touchdown pass to Tyler Daniels on a play where a key block, downfield, was thrown by Jeremiah Ratliff. Boatman's PAT pulled the Bears within two at 19-17.
 
Coahoma responded with another short touchdown run with just under two minutes to go to jump back up by 10.
 
With limited time, Goss and the Bears put together arguably their best drive of the first half driving deep into Tiger territory before Goss found Daniels once again, this time from 13 yards out as time expired. Boatman's PAT pulled the Bears within three at 27-24 at the half.
 
The lone score of the third quarter for either team came via Coahoma as another short touchdown run and a successful PAT put Southwest in a 10-point hole at 34-24.
 
The Bears could not find the rhythm that they possessed earlier in the contest. An interception by Amarien Jefferson gave the ball back to the Bears but the offense was unable to capitalize.
 
After the Tigers added a field goal with just under 6:00 to go in the contest, Goss got injured on a sack that ended a drive. Jefferson came in to play quarterback and the offense got back into a groove.
 
Jefferson found a seam and rushed for gains of  37 yards and 5 yards before a 34-yard pass to Tavaris Henshaw moved the ball down into the red zone. On the ensuing play, Jefferson found La'Jarion Martin on a 19-yard touchdown pass. He followed that up with a successful 2-point conversion on a pass to Leslie Jefferson, making it a one-score game at 37-32.
 
Southwest attempted to keep the momentum on its side by regaining possession on an onside kick but it was unsuccessful. The Tigers ran out the clock, preserving the win.
 
Goss finished 25-of-29 for 267 yards and two touchdowns. Jefferson was 2-of-3 for 34 yards and a score to go along with his interception on defense. He was also the leading tackler for the Bears with nine total.
 
On the ground, Rodgers had 64 yards and a touchdown on 12 carries.
 
Henshaw hauled in five passes for 69 yards while Daniels had three catches for 54 yards and two touchdowns.
 
The Bears will be back in action on Thursday at 7 p.m. as they host Mississippi Gulf Coast in the home opener.