SUMMIT, MS – Coahoma had a tough test with the season opener on the road in Summit, MS, and they passed with flying colors in a 35-20 victory over Southwest Mississippi Community College Thursday night at the John I. Hurst Stadium.
 
The Tigers out gained the Bears 384 yards to 286 yards.
 
Coahoma set the tone on the first play of the game. Trey Mitchell connected with Eric Moore for a 66-yard touchdown, giving Coahoma a 7-0 lead. The score fired up Coahoma's defense.
 
The Tigers forced five turnovers including two interceptions and three forced fumbles. Tony Bowman made a huge play by sacking Southwest MS CC quarterback Brady Anderson in the end zone for a safety, extending the lead to 9-0. 
 
Southwest MS CC gets on the scoreboard 9-7 with Anderson hooking up with Johnny Wilson for a 45-yard touchdown.
 
Then, Coahoma's offense went to work with a 79-yard drive on nine plays. Josh Johnson scampered for a seven-yard touchdown extending the lead to 16-7. Linebacker Cecil Cherry made a big impact with an interception, returning it 21-yards to the Southwest MS CC 4- yard line. Mitchell then connected with Jayshon Foster for a 14-yard touchdown giving Coahoma a big 22-7 lead at the half.
 
Southwest MS's defense made some big plays to get back in the game. Anfernee Jordan picked off Mitchell and returned it for a 46-yard touchdown, cutting the lead 22-13. Then, Jordan picked off Mitchell again and returned it to Coahoma's 45-yard line. Four plays later, Chase Hughes scored a three-yard touchdown, cutting the lead further to 22-20.
 
Jaylin Jones gave a big lift for the Tigers with a 45-yard touchdown, extending the lead 29-20. Then, Coahoma put the game away when Johnson scored a nine-yard touchdown.
Johnson finished with 22 carries, 93 yards and two touchdowns. Jones had six carries, 60 yards and a touchdown. Mitchell was 15-30 for 243 yards, a touchdown and two interceptions. Cherry had seven tackles and two interceptions.
 
Nakia Trotter led Southwest MS with 13 carries and 89 yards. Anderson finished with 5 of 14 for 117 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions.
 
Coahoma is now preparing to host one of the top teams in the country, Copiah Lincoln Community College, at 7 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 7, at the James E. Miller Stadium.