Bulldogs fall to Lions on Homecoming; begin preparation for playoffs

GOODMAN --- The No. 8 ranked Holmes Community College Bulldogs jumped out to a 9-0 lead in the first quarter but were unable to hang on against East Mississippi on Homecoming 2024. East Mississippi took the regular season finale, 51-15, but the Bulldogs are headed to the MACCC semis next weekend for the first time in 22 years.

Holmes, 7-2 and the North No. 2 seed, will play East Central, the South's No. 1 seed, in Decatur on Saturday at 2 p.m. in the semifinals. Gulf Coast, the South's No. 2 seed, will travel to the North's No. 1 seed on Saturday as well. Northwest knocked off the Itawamba Indians on Friday night propelling the Bulldogs into the playoffs as the No. 2 seed.

Thursday's contest began with Holmes jumping out to an early 9-0 lead with Dan Lindsay's 38-yard field goal three minutes into the game.

The Bulldogs followed Lindsay's field goal with a 35-yard touchdown pass from John Ford to Cayden Burger at the 9:37 mark in the first.

East Mississippi then reeled off 45 straight points before the Bulldogs were able to get on the scoreboard again. With :48 left in the third, Jeremy Atkins picked up a Lion fumble and raced in from 40 yards out. The try for two failed, and East Mississippi led 45-15.

East Mississippi scored once more in the fourth with 6:15 left to play. The extra point was no good.