Indians push past Pearl River, 51-34
Lee Adams/LetsGoICC.com
POPLARVILLE, MS – The long road trip didn't affect Itawamba Community College's offense Thursday as they put together their second straight 700 plus yard performance to power past Pearl River Community College, 51-34.
The quarterbacking duo of Peyton Bender (Fort Lauderdale, FL) and Dan Ellington (Olive Branch) combined for 445 yards through the air with Bender going 22-33 for 296 yards and Ellington 12-13 for 149.
Bender's lone touchdown pass came in the first quarter when he connected with Terry Williams (Southaven), who had five catches for 52 yards.
Ellington had four total touchdowns in the non-division contest, with three through the air and one on the ground as he led the Indians in rushing with 90 yards on 11 carries.
Octavious Matthews (Stevenson, AL) ran for 88 yards on 18 carries and found the end zone twice, once from the one yard line and the other from 20 yards out.
Along with Williams, Dorian Gaston (Ripley), Dontavis Bruce (Olive Branch) and Chris Long (Nettleton) caught touchdown passes. Gaston led the Indians with 164 yards on 9 receptions and Bruce eclipsed the century mark as well with 13 receptions for 150 yards.
The Indians (3-2, 2-2 MACJC North) seemed to score at will during the contest, but the defense struggled to stop the Wildcats early on allowing 20 points in the first quarter. However, they stepped up and held the Wildcats scoreless in the second quarter highlighted by a Devan Hollins (Southaven) interception and a Daylon Fox (Southaven), who led the Indians with 9 tackles, fumble recovery.
With the defense holding the Wildcats (1-4, 1-1 MACJC South) scoreless, the Indians put 10 points on the board to hold a 30-20 lead at halftime.
The Wildcats came out swinging in the second half, but the Indians scored 21 unanswered points to pull away and pick up the 51-34 road win.
The Indians return to MACJC North Division play Thursday when they travel to Booneville for a rival game with Northeast Mississippi Community College at 6:30 p.m.
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