ELLISVILLE — Southwest’s offense nearly put up 500 total yards but couldn’t overcome a big halftime deficit Thursday night, dropping a 42-35 decision at Jones County.
With the loss, the Bears fall to 3-5 (1-4 in the MACJC South Division). Jones County moves to 5-3 (2-3)
Trailing 42-28, Southwest’s Floyd Barnes intercepted quarterback Ben Stevens’ pass midway through the fourth quarter and gave Southwest fans more reason for hope.
Taking over the ball at the Bobcats’ 46-yard line, the Bears used three running plays to reach the end zone with Laderick Turner ending the short drive on a 4-yard touchdown run to make the score 42-35 with 8:01 left in the game.
Unfortunately, that proved to be the last gasp for Southwest as its final two possessions ended on downs and a punt, and Jones County was able to run out the clock to escape with the win.
“Defensively, the first half was the worst performance I’ve seen in 30 years of coaching,” said Southwest coach Charles Anthony. “We couldn’t get off blocks, we couldn’t tackle, we couldn’t stop the run, we couldn’t rush the quarterback and we couldn’t cover anybody.”
The Bears woke up in the second half to make it somewhat interesting.
“In the second half, we came back and battled and didn’t give up,” Anthony added. “But that’s two poor defensive performances in a row, and that’s my responsibility.”
Offensive-minded football fans got all they wanted and more in a wild first half. The Bobcats jumped to a quick 7-0 lead 15 seconds into the game when Stevens fired a 57-yard touchdown pass to Quartez Cooks.
After the teams traded possessions, Southwest got on the board with 6:44 to go in the quarter. Turner did the honors on a 1-yard scamper into the end zone to close out a 10-play drive.
Jones County answered back on its next possession when Lavoris Powell closed out the first-quarter scoring on an 8-yard scoring run.
Two possessions later, the Bears tied the score at 14 when Vintavious Cooper fired a pass a 74-yard scoring pass to Jerome Stewart to close out a quick 4-play drive with 13:25 left in the first half.
Jones County regained the lead on its next possession but Southwest again wasted little time in deadlocking the score. Another four-play drive, this one starting at the Bobcats’ 47-yard line, ended with Cooper racing to paydirt on a 16-yard touchdown with 4:48 on the clock.
The Bobcats’ added two more scores to push their halftime lead to 35-21.
Cooper led the Bears with 153 yards rushing and a touchdown on 25 carries. He completed 11 of 22 passes for 246 yards and two scores but was intercepted twice. Turner carried the ball 13 times for 57 yards and two touchdowns.
Stewart led the Beats with three catches in the game for 92 yards and a touchdown.
Jones County totaled 398 yards of offense in the game. Stevens completed 17 of 27 passes for 253 yards and three touchdowns.
Southwest closes out the 2011 season at home on Oct. 27 against East Central at John I. Hurst Stadium.
