Trojans Explode for 610 Yards in 52-47 Road Victory Over Holmes

Mississippi Delta Community College used a 610-yard offensive performance and three defensive interceptions to defeat Holmes Community College 52-47 on Thursday afternoon at Ras Branch Stadium.

The Trojans improved to 3-6 overall and 2-3 in MACCC North Division play with the victory. Mississippi Delta finished with 381 rushing yards and 229 passing yards, averaging 8.1 yards per play.

Quarterback Armon Vinson completed 19 of 28 passes for 229 yards and one touchdown while rushing for 73 yards and two scores. Running back Eli Johnson led the Trojans on the ground with 115 yards and one touchdown on 14 carries.

Trojans build early advantage

Mississippi Delta opened the scoring with a 39-yard field goal by Noel Mora with 9:34 remaining in the first quarter.

The Trojans extended their lead following a defensive takeaway near their own goal line. After Holmes advanced to the Mississippi Delta 1-yard line following a blocked field goal, Demarian Kidd recovered a fumble at the 5-yard line. The play resulted in a 95-yard touchdown return credited to the MDCC team in the official box score, giving the Trojans a 10-0 lead.

Mississippi Delta continued its offensive production in the second quarter.

Charlie Ward scored on a 21-yard run with 8:07 remaining in the half, extending the advantage to 17-0. Jaylen Neely followed with a 37-yard touchdown run less than three minutes later to give the Trojans a 24-0 lead.

Holmes answered with a 44-yard touchdown pass from George Wilcox to Jaleil Cameron, cutting the deficit to 24-7.

The Trojans responded when Johnson broke free for a 48-yard touchdown run with 2:25 remaining in the second quarter, extending the lead to 31-7.

Holmes added a 6-yard touchdown pass from Wilcox to Tyran Mosley with four seconds remaining in the half, sending Mississippi Delta into the break with a 31-14 advantage.

Mississippi Delta maintains lead in second half

Holmes opened the third-quarter scoring with a 62-yard touchdown pass from Wilcox to Mosley, trimming the Trojans’ lead to 31-20.

Mississippi Delta answered when Vinson connected with Nick Celestine for a 48-yard touchdown pass with 6:27 remaining in the third quarter.

Following a 3-yard touchdown run by Cameron that brought Holmes within 38-26, Vinson scored on a 38-yard run to extend Mississippi Delta’s advantage to 45-26 with two minutes remaining in the period.

The Bulldogs added a 24-yard touchdown pass from Wilcox to Skylar Townsend and converted the 2-point attempt, cutting the Trojans’ lead to 45-34 entering the fourth quarter.

Mississippi Delta added its final points of the afternoon when Vinson scored on a 4-yard run, extending the lead to 52-34.

Holmes responded with a 6-yard touchdown pass from Wilcox to Cameron and a 2-yard touchdown run by Cameron, narrowing the deficit to 52-47 with 2:46 remaining.

The Trojans maintained possession for the remainder of the game, securing the five-point road victory.

Offensive production highlights victory

Mississippi Delta finished with 610 yards on 75 offensive plays, averaging 8.1 yards per play.

Johnson led the rushing attack with 115 yards on 14 carries, averaging 8.2 yards per attempt. Neely added 90 yards and one touchdown on 14 carries, while Vinson contributed 73 rushing yards and two touchdowns.

Ward also recorded a 21-yard rushing touchdown.

Vinson accounted for three touchdowns, including two rushing scores and a 48-yard touchdown pass to Celestine.

Celestine led Mississippi Delta’s receiving corps with 70 yards and one touchdown on three receptions. Marlon Fluker caught six passes for 64 yards, while Monclair Brave added one reception for 35 yards.

Defense forces three interceptions

Mississippi Delta’s defense recorded three interceptions and a fumble recovery in the victory.

Lacoyrius Branch led the takeaway effort with two interceptions and five total tackles. Kidd added an interception and a fumble recovery.

Jakobe Barnes led the Trojans with nine total tackles, including 1.5 tackles for loss. Roosevelt Harris Jr., Dewon Hayes, Nizhan Feagin and Brayden McDonald each finished with five tackles.

Mora contributed 10 points in the kicking game, converting a 39-yard field goal and all seven extra-point attempts. He also averaged 44 yards on four punts, placing three inside the Holmes 20-yard line.

By the numbers

• Total offense: 610 yards
• Rushing offense: 381 yards
• Passing offense: 229 yards
• Average yards per play: 8.1
• First downs: 24
• Touchdowns: Seven
• Interceptions: Three
• Final score: Mississippi Delta 52, Holmes 47

The victory improved Mississippi Delta to 3-6 overall and 2-3 in MACCC North Division play.