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Ronde VS PRCC
Chuck Barnes

Bears pick off the Wildcats on the first play in Poplarville

| By: By Cody Junkin
Ronde Baker
Southwest Mississippi Football took on the Pearl River Wildcats in Poplarville on Thursday, September 24th.

The Wildcats won the coin toss and elected to receive the ball first.

On only the second play from scrimmage, Nemo Sowders picked off the Pearl River quarterback for his first interception of the year and returned it to the Wildcat's 43-yard line.

With the ball in favorable position, Kaison Koenenn, getting his first start of the year at quarterback, would have a chance to get the Bears on the board early.

A few plays later the Bears attempted a 54-yard field goal but missed.

Pearl River got the ball back and quickly answered back scoring the first touchdown of the game and going up 7-0 over Southwest.

The Bears responded instantly with an 8 play 77-yard drive to score their first touchdown on a 34-yard Ronde Baker rushing touchdown to tie the game at 7-7.

Southwest's defense stood strong as they forced a 4th down stop on Pearl River's next possession as the first quarter came to a close.

An unfortunate Bear fumble gave the Wildcats the ball on the 4-yard line which they turned into a touchdown a few plays later to take a 14-7 lead over Southwest with 13:25 remaining in the second quarter.

The Bear offense kept full steam ahead after a good return by Keena Galloway Jr.

On a critical 4th and 1 near midfield, Kaison Koenenn ran for a 45-yard touchdown.

After a missed extra point, the Bears trailed only 13-14 with 10:31 left in the half.

The teams traded punts before Pearl River would kick a field goal to go up 17-13 over Southwest.

That would remain the score as the half ended and the Bears trailed 13-17 to the Wildcats.

Southwest's defense played a spectacular second half and didn't allow any more points from the Pearl River offense.

Pearl River's only second half points came on a pick-six only ten seconds into the third quarter that put them up 24-13.

Simon Naylor made a 52-yard field goal at the start of the fourth quarter to make it a one possession game with the Bears trailing 16-24.

That would end up the final score as a long Bear drive ended on an incompletion on 4th down with only 00:05 left in the game.

The Wildcat's kneeled it out and took home the win over Southwest.

Kaison Koenenn led the team with 107 passing yards.

Ronde Baker led the team with 112 rushing yards and 1 rushing touchdown on 14 carries. Kaison Koenenn had 57 rusing yards and 1 rushing touchdown on 12 carries. Nyrikius Johnson had 49 rushing yards on 8 carries.

Ronde Baker also led with 48 receiving yards on 3 receptions.

Simon Naylor made a 52-yard field goal.

Keena Galloway had 4 kickoff returns for 93 yards.

Nemo Sowders had an interception.

The Bears (1-4, 0-2*division) will host Co-Lin for homecoming on Thursday, October 1st.
 
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