Controversial call leads to Indians' 14-12 loss to Holmes

FULTON, MS – The No. 12 Itawamba Community College football team turned in its best performance of the season with the defense holding Holmes Community College to less than 100 yards of total offense while the offense nearly rolled up 500 yards.

All of that made Thursday's 14-12 loss to the Bulldogs (2-2, 2-0 MACJC North) even more agonizing for ICC head football coach Jon Williams after the game ultimately came down to a questionable call late in the fourth quarter.

Trailing 7-6, the Indians (3-1, 1-1 MACJC North) drove to the 10-yard line when what appeared to be an incomplete pass from Griff Loftis (Mooreville) intended for Jarvis Bentley (Columbus, GA) was ruled the pass a lateral allowing Kris Givens to scoop up the loose ball and sprint 85 yards for a touchdown. [Click here to see the play]

"The bottom line is we shouldn't have been in the position to let something like that determine the outcome," Williams said after the game. "Missed opportunities, turnovers and lack of production in the red zone are the factors that cost us the game."

On Friday, the MACJC Head of Officials confirmed the video clearly showed the pass being thrown from the 15-yard line, being touched at the 11-yard line and falling to the ground between the 12 and 13-yard lines and issued an apology to the ICC coaching staff.

Despite the frustration after the call, the Indians quickly marched down the field, powered by a 68-yard catch and run by Sanford Seay (Albany, GA), to score on a 2-yard pass to Adrian Brown (Olive Branch) with 1:22 left in the game.

"I was proud of how the guys responded," said Williams. "Instead of standing around and pointing fingers or hanging their heads they answered the bell and gave us a chance."

The Indians' 2-point conversion pass was interception and Holmes was able to kneel their way to victory after the Indians recovered the onside kick, but touched the ball before it traveled the necessary 10 yards.

Freshman place kicker Tyler Jackson (Oxford) connected on 24 and 31-yard field goals, but had a 29-yard attempt blocked later in the game.

"The block turned out to be bigger than it should have been," said Williams. "A missed assignment turned into another example of executing the little things it takes to win."

Defensively, the Indians held Holmes to 91 yards of total offense (8 rushing; 83 passing) while forcing three turnovers along with totaling seven sacks and 21.5 tackles for loss.

"We couldn't have asked our defense to play a better game," Williams said. "I feel bad for our defensive staff and players because they did some unbelievable things, but we couldn't match their play on the offensive side of the ball to be able to win the game."

Sophomore Quad Freeman (Guntown) had a career night recording 9 tackles (7 solo; 2 assists) including four tackles for a loss of 18 yards, three sacks for a loss of 17 yards and a fumble recovery.

ICC rolled up 471 yards on offense, but turned the ball over five turnovers, including a 34-yard fumbled returned for a touchdown by Dahendrick Thompson.

"I think we moved the ball fairly well at times, but when we had to have a play in the red zone we didn't get it done," said Williams. "We had a lot of trouble holding on to the ball tonight which was a lack of discipline and that falls on my shoulders as the head coach."

Loftis finished the game 31-of-51 for 266 yards one touchdown and three interceptions with Seay hauling in five catches for 106 yards while Courtney Gladney (Olive Branch) rushed for 92 of the Indians' season-high 205 rushing yards.

Coach Williams said his Indians will quickly turn their attention to next week as they travel to Senatobia to take on No. 6 Northwest Mississippi Community College Thursday, September 27 at 6:30 p.m.

"Northwest is a dangerous football team," said Williams. "They are very explosive offensively which will present a really good match-up with the way our defense has been playing the last couple of games. The biggest thing four us will be learning from our mistakes, but that's the beauty of the game you can always work harder and get better."

The Rangers (3-0, 2-0 MACJC) have won four-straight over the Indians, including last year's 45-7 win in Fulton.

Fans attending Thursday's game are encouraged to bring a canned food item as the two colleges combine to host a food drive to help benefit the Hope Ministries of Senatobia. [Click here for list of suggested items]