Despite multiple positives including 342 total yards of offense and five takeaways, it wasn't enough for Southwest Football as mistakes and inconsistent play hurt the Bears in Thursday's 48-31 season-opening loss at home against the Holmes Bulldogs.

"We didn't play with great effort," Southwest head coach Cliff Collins said. "I was very displeased with how we played effort-wise. Too many turnovers, too many small things that we didn't do right. We have to get that corrected, the small things. So we have to get that corrected and we have to get energized."

It didn't take long for the Bears (0-1) to make a statement. After the Bulldogs drove the ball down inside the red zone on the opening play of the game, the Southwest defense held strong before a fumble recovery by Jeffrey Anderson Jr. on a Holmes field goal attempt gave the ball and the momentum to the hosts.

But the Bears were unable to capitalize and had to punt the ball away.

Another impressive defensive stand, stuffing a fourth-and-short run attempt gave the ball back to the Southwest offense. This time, however, it resulted in points. Jordan Mills completed passes to Marcellus Jackson and Damarrco Blanton with the latter being a 40-yard connection setting up a nine-yard touchdown run by Jalen Williams. With the successful PAT by Lyndell Boatman, the Bears took a 7-0 lead with 7:18 to go in the opening quarter.

As play wound down in the first quarter and spilled into the second, both offense struggled as the defenses got fourth down stops, forced punts and turnovers. Two Bear takeaways occurred during this time period as sophomore Kam Carter shined with a pair of interceptions.

The streak of struggling offensive play was unfortunately broken by Holmes as they put together a drive which wrapped with a 19-yard touchdown pass and with the PAT, the game was tied at 7 with 11:00 to go until halftime.

Yet another Bear takeaway, this time courtesy of an interception by linebacker Danarius Hilliard gave Southwest pristine field position, and it would take advantage. Williams found the end zone again on a beautiful 17-yard run, which included a nifty spin move, making it a 14-7 game.

With the ball and the momentum, the Bears took an unfortunate step backwards as a Holmes pick-6 put the Bulldogs right back in the ballgame which was now tied at 14 with 5:20 to go in the second quarter.

Points off of turnovers was a common theme for both teams and it reared its ugly head for Southwest in the third quarter. Following an interception, the Bulldogs punched it in on the third play of the ensuing drive with a 13-yard touchdown pass. Xynarus Haynes blocked the PAT but the Bears trailed for the first time in the contest finding themselves down 20-14.

A big 50-yard kick return by up-man Tamar Griffin not only gave the Bears great field position but it resulted in points later in the drive when Boatman connected on a 24-yard field goal pulling the Bears within three at 20-17.

The next two defensive drives were struggles for Southwest as Holmes got touchdowns in each to increase its lead to 34-17 with just under a minute to go in the third quarter.

But yet another strong Griffin return gave the Bears favorable field position. Henry Brewer, who came on at quarterback earlier in the contest, led a four-play drive that wrapped with a 32-yard touchdown pass to Jordan Scott which pulled the Bears within 10 at 34-24.

The momentum stayed on the home side as the defense forced a three-and-out before the offense shined once again. The combination of Brewer, Blanton and Williams moved the Bears down to the 28 yard line before freshman running back Chris
Hunter made his presence known with a strong run into the end zone showing great balance along the sideline. The score moved Southwest within three at 34-31 with 7:15 to go.

But unfortunately, the Bears could not keep it going as Holmes got one more touchdown on an 9-yard pass before getting another score on a 43-yard punt return making the score the eventual final.

Both Williams and Hunter finished with 54 yards apiece rushing on 17 and 10 carries, respectively. Williams had two scores with Hunter had one. Blanton led the receivers with six grabs for 87 yards. TJ Johnson had four catches for 54 yards while Scott had two for 44 yards and a touchdown.

Brewer completed 11-of-24 passes for 129 yards and one touchdown.

On defense, Jeffery Polk Jr. and Carter led the Bears with eight tackles apiece with the latter also recording two interceptions. Vinay Singh had seven tackles including one for a loss of three yards. Exavier McDowell had a strong showing with five tackles, two and a half for loss and one sack.

Southwest will be on the road Thursday as the Bears make the long trip up to Booneville to face Northeast Mississippi at 6:30 p.m.