GOODMAN, Miss. — The Coahoma Community College Tigers suffered a heartbreaking 36-33 loss to Holmes Community College on Thursday night at Ras Branch Stadium, surrendering a late fourth-quarter touchdown after holding a 12-point advantage earlier in the final period.
The Tigers entered the contest looking for their first win of the season and opened Mississippi Association of Community Colleges Conference North Division play with an offensive attack that produced 371 yards of total offense, including 304 rushing yards. Coahoma finished with 21 first downs and averaged 5.9 yards per play.
Coahoma wasted little time getting on the scoreboard. Quarterback Jacob Clopton capped an eight-play, 77-yard opening drive with a one-yard rushing touchdown with 2:27 remaining in the first quarter. Andrew Harrison's extra point gave the Tigers an early 6-0 lead. Holmes responded with two touchdowns late in the opening period, taking a 14-6 lead before Coahoma answered on the final play of the quarter. Running back Issac Day broke loose for an 83-yard touchdown run with no time remaining in the first quarter. Harrison converted the extra point, pulling the Tigers within 14-13.
The Tigers regained the lead in the second quarter when Harrison connected on a 40-yard field goal with 10:35 remaining, putting Coahoma ahead 16-14. Holmes answered with a 13-yard touchdown pass from George Wilcox to Tyran Mosley with 3:24 remaining in the half. The Tigers responded once again, driving 56 yards on seven plays before Clopton found Jaden Moses for a five-yard touchdown pass with 1:36 remaining. Harrison's extra point put Coahoma back in front, 23-21, heading into halftime.
Coahoma continued to build on its momentum coming out of halftime. With 10:21 remaining in the third quarter, Clopton scored his second rushing touchdown of the night, taking the ball 11 yards into the end zone to cap a 65-yard, nine-play drive. Harrison added the extra point, extending the Tigers' advantage to 30-21. The Tigers added to their lead early in the fourth quarter when Harrison connected on a 31-yard field goal, completing a 76-yard drive and giving Coahoma a 33-21 advantage with 14:47 remaining.
Holmes, however, began its comeback. The Bulldogs scored on a two-yard rushing touchdown by Tristan Colenberg with 12:40 remaining, cutting the Tigers' lead to 33-28. Holmes then regained possession late in the fourth quarter and put together a 79-yard scoring drive, capped by a seven-yard rushing touchdown from RJ Evans II with 2:24 remaining. A successful two-point conversion gave Holmes a 36-33 lead.
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Coahoma Tigers were unable to answer on its final possessions, and Holmes Bulldogs held on for the three-point victory.
Game Highlights and Statistics
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The Tigers racked up 304 rushing yards.
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Day led the Tigers' rushing attack, turning in a standout performance with 184 yards and a touchdown on 18 carries, including his 83-yard scoring run.
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Prentavis Madison also provided a major contribution on the ground, rushing 15 times for 117 yards.
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Clopton finished with 12 carries for three yards but scored two rushing touchdowns. Through the air, he completed eight of 18 passes for 67 yards, one touchdown, and two interceptions.
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Moses caught one pass for five yards, accounting for Coahoma's second-quarter touchdown.
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Jakarious Fields added a 20-yard reception, while Abraylen Jenkins finished with two receptions for 19 yards and two kickoff returns for 52 yards.
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Defensively, the Tigers recorded 74 total tackles, three sacks, six tackles for loss, and six pass breakups.
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Coahoma forced two fumbles, although neither resulted in a recovery.
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Deshaun Brooks and Xaylen Henderson led the Tigers with six tackles apiece. Henderson also recorded a pass breakup.
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Brandon Thomas added five tackles, two tackles for loss, one sack, and a forced fumble.
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Jason Spencer finished with four tackles, a sack, and a forced fumble.
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Trey Pettway and Sebastian Ford II each recorded five tackles, with Pettway adding a tackle for loss.
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The Tigers' defense held Holmes scoreless during the third quarter, allowing Coahoma to take control of the game entering the final period. Holmes ultimately scored 15 points in the fourth quarter to complete its comeback. Despite the difficult result, Coahoma showed its ability to control stretches of the game, particularly on the ground. The Tigers produced 304 rushing yards, 21 first downs, and four touchdowns in the contest.
The loss drops Coahoma to 0-4 overall and 0-1 in conference play.
The Coahoma Tigers will look to bounce back and secure a conference win when they host Itawamba Community College on Thursday, Sept. 24. Kickoff is scheduled for 6:30 p.m.
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About Coahoma Community CollegeÂ
Founded in 1949, Coahoma Community College is a public, comprehensive, historically Black community college serving the heart of the Mississippi Delta. Coahoma offers Associate of Arts degrees, Associate of Applied Science degrees, and specialized certificates across dozens of diverse academic and career pathways. Located on a 99-acre campus in Clarksdale, Mississippi, the College is celebrating 77 years of academic excellence. In addition to its affordable tuition and generous scholarship opportunities, Coahoma has earned widespread recognition in nursing and health sciences, career-technical education, and university transfer programs. Outside of the classroom, students are involved in competitive NJCAA athletics as well as a variety of organizations and clubs, including student government, the celebrated college choir, and the renowned Marching Maroon Typhoon.
