GOODMAN — The No. 9 Itawamba Community College football team remained undefeated Thursday night with a 13-10 victory against Holmes C.C. in a MACJC North Division game.
“It was a typical night in the MACJC,” ICC coach Jon Williams said. “In this league anybody can beat anybody on any given night. It’s always big when you can go on the road and win in this division.”
The Indians (4-0, 2-0 MACJC North) struck first when sophomore quarterback Andrew Goodman (Charlotte, N.C.) found freshman wide receiver Jacquez McMillian (Southaven) over the middle for a 60-yard catch and run. Jeb Millender (Pontotoc) kicked the extra point at the 5-minute, 17-secondmark of the first quarter.
Goodman’s 5-yard touchdown run early in the second quarter gave ICC a 13-0 halftime lead.
The Bulldogs (0-4, 0-2 MACJC North) broke into the scoring column when an errant snap went over the head of Millender and out of the end zone for a safety with 8:10 left in the fourth quarter.
“We started losing our focus and making mental mistakes that gave them opportunities late in the game,” Williams said. “Like any good football team, Holmes did a good job of taking advantage of our mistakes to get back in the game.”
With 1:07 remaining, HCC quarterback James Ayers scored a 2-yard run and found David Huffines for the two-point conversion to make it 13-10.
McMillian recovered the ensuing onside kick and the Indians kneeled their way to the victory.
“I thought how our special team players responded after last week was really big for us,” Williams said. “Instead of panicking, they did what we work on every day in practice, made sure they secured the football, and came up with a big play for us to be able to get the win.”
Goodman was 15 of 33 for 151 yards. He also had 12 carries for 64 yards and a score.
McMillian had three catches for 71 yards, while Chris Ingram (Southaven) had 14 carries for 95 yards to help the Indians accumulate 361 yards of total offense.
“We didn’t have our best offensive performance of the year, but give credit where credit is due because Holmes had a lot to due with our struggles offensively,” Williams said. “They are a really good football team that gets after you all four quarters of the ballgame and we did just enough to be able to come away with a win.”
The Indians’ defense had 23 tackles for loss. Sophomore linebacker CJ Jackson (Water Valley) led the way with eight tackles (five solo, three assists) with four tackles for a loss of 9 yards.
ICC will play host to Northwest Mississippi C.C. for Homecoming at 4 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 28, at Eaton Field.
n Northeast Mississippi 34, Northwest Mississippi 21: At Senatobia, Former West Oktibbeha High School standout LaVontis Smith caught three touchdown passes Thursday night to help the Tigers improve to 2-2 and 2-0 in the MACJC North Division.
Smith, a freshman, caught touchdown passes of 25 and 27 yards from Jeremy Liggins. He also caught a 65-yard scoring pass from Jerrard Randall. Smith had seven catches for 180 yards on the evening, while Liggins was 6 of 13 for 154 yards.
Former West Point High School standout Tez Lane had one carry for 8 yards.
Also for Northeast Mississippi, former West Point standout DeQuinten Spraggins had three solo tackles (four overall), former Noxubee County High standout Antonio Ryland had two solo tackles (five overall), including one for a loss. Former Starkville High standout Johnny Smith had one tackle and an interception, and former Columbus High standout Jabari Edwards had two tackles.
Karsten Miller was 26 of 39 for 348 yards and three touchdowns for the Rangers (1-3, 1-1). Former Columbus High standout Damian Baker had 17 carries for 77 yards. He also had five catches for 37 yards. Former Starkville High standout Kentrell Spencer had two catches for 42 yards, including a 30-yard touchdown catch.
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