PERKINSTON – The 5th-ranked Jones College Bobcats knew they would have to play disciplined defense to slow down the 7th-ranked Eastern Arizona College Gila Monsters in Mississippi Bowl XI.
The Bobcats did that and much more, holding the Gila Monsters in check, as they rolled to a 27-7 victory here Sunday afternoon at A.L. May Stadium on the campus of Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College.
Eastern Arizona entered the game averaging 268.6 yards per game on the ground, which is second in the nation.
Jones held the Gila Monsters to only 101 yards rushing – with 68 yards coming on one play – and zero yards passing.
Bobcat end Marquez Bembry (Atlanta, Georgia), who was named Jones College's Most Valuable Defensive Player for the game, was confident the defense would play well.
"We had played the triple option two times before (Holmes and Southwest), so we came in here with 'eye' discipline, making sure each guy knows exactly who they are supposed to have," he said. "Since we had played it two times already, it was kind of normal for us."
Bembry finished the game with six tackles, one sack, four and a half tackles for loss, one forced fumble and one fumble recovery.
Bobcat head coach Steve Buckley credited defensive coordinator Dwike Wilson and the coaches for having the players in position throughout the game.
"You can't say enough about our defensive staff, Coach Wilson and what they do week in and week out," Buckley said. "To shut down an explosive offense like that was amazing. They basically shut them down to one play."
Jones ended the game with 19 tackles for loss and five sacks.
Sunday's victory gives Jones its first 10-win season since 2001 and it was the first bowl win for the Bobcats since they defeated Georgia Military College 42-35 in the 1998 Grand Isles Bowl in Georgia.
Buckley said this was the way to end the season.
"It's a whole lot better feeling than the last time we played," he said, referring to the 19-14 loss to No. 1 East Mississippi last month in the MACJC championship game. "We wanted to do this for the kids and they deserve this moment right now. They have been a class act for the last three days representing Mississippi in the Mississippi Bowl.
"It's been a great experience for us, the kids and everybody involved. Our kids did a great job."
Editor’s note: An article featuring Winston County links to the win will be in the 12-12-2018 edition.
