Summit, MS - The Indians' comeback effort in their season opener came up short as they fell, 41-35, to the Southwest Mississippi Community College on Saturday.
A slow start in the first half and two Southwest (1-0) special teams touchdowns proved too much for the Indians (0-1) to overcome.
Southwest's first special teams score came early in the second half on a 51-yard punt return to put the Indians down 14-0. The Indians would then trail 24-0 later in the quarter before Jamal Brooks (Ripley) put the Tribe on the board to cut the lead to 24-7 at the break.
The Indians scored all 14 points in the third quarter and RJ Wilson (Independence) gave the Indians their first lead of the day (28-27) with a 12-yard run early in the fourth quarter.
Southwest immediately answered with a 95-yard touchdown return on the ensuing kickoff to regain the lead. However, Dylan Faulk (Hernando) capped off a long drive with a nine-yard touchdown run with four minutes left in the contest.
A big 40-yard pass on the ensuing drive sealed the Bears' victory.
Wide receiver Shamar Sandgren (Savannah, GA) led the Indians' offensive air attack with 13 catches for 117 yards and a touchdown.
For the Indians, it was their third-straight season opening loss.
ICC will look to rebound quickly as they host Copiah-Lincoln Community College (0-1) for its home opener on Thursday. The Wolves dropped a 31-12 decision at Northwest Mississippi Community College (1-0) last week. The game can be heard on SuperTalk Tupelo 101.9 FM and watched on LetsGoICCTV.com/red with the Davis Ford Pregame Show starting at 6:00 p.m. The First American National Bank opening kickoff is slated for 6:30 in Fulton.
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