FULTON, Miss. – Holmes' Jalen Ballard kicked a 39-yard field goal as time expired to hand the Indians a heartbreaking, 26-24, loss in Goodman Thursday night.
The Indians (1-5, 1-3 MACCC North) rallied to take a 24-23 lead when third-string quarterback Tylan Carter found TJ Atkins on a 64-yard touchdown pass with 1:44 left in the game.
Atkins had four catches for 80 yards and a touchdown.
The Bulldogs (4-2, 1-2 MACCC North) took a 10-0 advantage in the first quarter before Luke Jackson connected on a 27-yard field goal to make it a 10-3 game at halftime.
Jackson was 1-for-2 on field goals and 3-for-3 on extra points.
Trailing 20-3, Charleston French broke free for a 78-yard touchdown run to make it a 20-10 game after Jackson added the extra point with 6:30 left in the third quarter. French scored on a 5-yard touchdown run to make it a 20-17 contest at the 7:57 mark in the fourth quarter.
French rushed for a career-best 143 yards and two touchdowns on 19 carries while hauling in one pass for eight yards.
The Bulldogs set up the final drive with solid field position after a good returning on the Indians' kickoff. The Indians defense held strong, but a pair of illegal substitutions assisted Holmes before the eventual game-winning kick.
Carter finished the night with 104 yards, one touchdown, and two interceptions on 6-of-15 passing and rushed for 43 yards on eight carries.
Jayden Walker recorded 13 total tackles (6 solo; 7 assists) with a sack and a tackle for loss.
The Indians will step out of division play and travel to Raymond to take on Hinds Thursday night. The Eagles (3-3) are coming off a 34-28 overtime win against Southwest Mississippi. The Davis Ford Pregame Show will start at 6:30 p.m. on LetsGoICCTV.com/red. SuperTalk 101.9 FM will join the broadcast with the First American National Bank opening kickoff at 7 p.m.
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