ELLISVILLE -- After a promising start in the first half of Thursday's road finale against Jones, the Bears lost momentum in the second and could not recover, falling to the Bobcats 37-21.

"It was just miscues, we are giving up big plays on defense, not blocking, not blocking well enough offensively," Southwest head coach Cliff Collins said. "We let one slip. They wanted that one more than we did. I'm just disappointed."

The Bears (1-7, 1-4 MACCC South), struck first towards the closing moments of the opening quarter. The Bobcats were attempting a 40-yard field goal but it was blocked by Kameron Carter before Gary Bailey Jr scooped the ball up and ran it in from 66 yards out. Lyndell Boatman added the extra point giving Southwest a 7-0 lead.

But the momentum was short-lived as Jones scored on the first play of the ensuing drive on a 72-yard touchdown pass, tying the game at 7.

At about the midway point of the second quarter, Southwest grabbed the lead once again. A 10-play, 85-yard drive wrapped with a two-yard touchdown run by Chris Hunter who rushed for 31 yards on the drive. His score made it a 14-7 game in favor of the visitors.

However, a touchdown followed by a field goal on the next two Jones drives, the latter of the two scores coming as time expired in the first half, put the Bobcats back on top at 17-14.

Still well-within striking distance at the beginning of the third quarter, the Bears looked to get back into the contest. But their first three offensive drives ended in a turnover, a punt and a missed field goal. Following the miss, Jones increased the deficit for the Bears with a rushing touchdown putting Southwest down by 10 at 24-14.

After both teams traded possessions that ended via interceptions, the Bears moved closer on their next series when Jordan Mills found Jordan Scott from 28 yards out once again pulling the visitors within three at 24-21.

But the rejuvenated Jones offense continued to give the Bears problems as the next two Bobcat drives both ended in touchdowns making the score the eventual final.

Hunter led the offense with 76 yards and a touchdown on 12 carries. Scott had a big night with six catches for 108 yards and a score. TJ Johnson also had six grabs for 51 yards.

Jeffery Polk Jr was the leading tackler with 10 on the evening. Steve Mboumoua also had a huge night with eight tackles including one for loss. In addition to his blocked field goal which led to a score, Carter also shined on defense with two interceptions to go along with two tackles.

The Bears close out the 2024 season at home on Thursday against East Central. Kickoff from John I. Hurst Stadium is set for 6:30 p.m.