Indians end season with loss to No. 7 Gulf Coast
Lee Adams/LetsGoICC.com
FULTON, MS – The Indians end their 2014 season with 49-3 Homecoming loss to No. 7 Gulf Coast.
The Indians (4-5, 4-2) knew they had a tough opponent in the nationally rank Bulldogs, who came into Saturday's game with a bit of a chip on their shoulder after being handed their first loss of the season the week prior. Quarterback and Auburn commit Jason Smith led Gulf Coast's offense to two quick touchdowns to jump out to an early lead.
Trailing 14-0, the Indians couldn't seem to find any rhythm offensively, until Richard McQuarley (Meridian) led them deep into Bulldogs territory. Big runs by McQuarley set up a 26-yard field goal by Tyler Jackson (Oxford) to pull the Indians within 11-points. However, the Bulldogs (8-1, 5-1) answered on the ensuing drive with Smith finding the end zone for the third time in the quarter.
The Indian defense held the Bulldogs to only 7-points in the second quarter, but a Kwadra Griggs (Greenwood) fumble was scooped up by James Graves who returned it 27-yards to extend their lead to 35-3. The strong defensive performance in the second half was led by Benny McCall (Horn Lake), who finished the day with 10-tackles, and Cartin McBride (Calhoun City), who recorded 6-tackles.
Offensively, the Indians struggled all game to find success through the air, but Griggs was only able to pick to complete 10-23 for 72-yards. The very talented secondary of Gulf Coast took away the deep threat, but Grant Kimberlin (Olive Branch) was able to pick up 44-yards on 8-receptions.
McQuarley, who finishes the season with 1,243 rushing yards, was the highlight of the Indian offense on Saturday as he rushed for his seventh 100-yard game with 104-yards on 22-carries.
The Indians finished the season tied for second in the North Division, and just missed the playoffs as Northwest held the tiebreaker.
With only 17 sophomores on this year's roster, the Indians were able to get a lot of young guys experience which should help them when they move into spring workouts early next year.
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