Southwest Football Falls to Northeast in Close Road Game
Southwest Football traveled to Booneville on Thursday to face Northeast in the second week of the season. The game started slowly, with Northeast leading 6-0 after the first quarter. Deori Pope caught a 28-yard pass for Southwest during the opening period, finishing with two catches for 76 yards in Week 1, according to team sources.
The Bears’ defense made a strong start to the second quarter, with Antwon Thomas recording a sack that forced a Northeast punt. However, Southwest struggled offensively in the first half and trailed 12-0 at halftime. The game shifted in the third quarter after Bernard Lackey intercepted a pass and returned it to the 48-yard line. That play sparked the Bears’ offense, which moved into the red zone with key catches by Zay Martin and Tahj Williby.
Freshman Ronde Baker scored Southwest’s first touchdown on back-to-back handoffs, pushing the score to 12-7 with 5:34 remaining in the third quarter. Northeast responded with a long pass that was nullified by a penalty, and Southwest held on defense after forcing a turnover on downs. The game remained close through the fourth quarter, with Southwest trailing 12-7.
Will Smith’s rushing efforts helped the Bears advance, but an interception returned for a touchdown by Jakhari Williams extended Northeast’s lead to 18-7. Southwest attempted a two-point conversion and managed to cut the deficit to 18-15 after a touchdown pass from Jakhari Williams to Zay Martin and a successful two-point run by Nyrikius Johnson.
With no timeouts remaining, Southwest failed to recover an onside kick. The Bears then gained possession with 15 seconds left and drove down the field. In the final seconds, Jakhari Williams threw a 69-yard pass to Deori Pope, placing the ball at the 11-yard line. The Bears hurried to line up a final play, but Williams’ pass intended for Tahj Williby fell incomplete as time expired, ending the game.
Williams finished with 279 passing yards and one touchdown, while Will Smith led the team in rushing with 28 yards and a touchdown. Ronde Baker added 27 yards and a rushing score. Pope led receivers with 97 yards on two catches, and Zay Martin had 71 yards on seven receptions. Defensively, Keviyon Lamons, Antwon Thomas, Jordan Magee, Janarious Harris, and Caleb Bryant each recorded a sack. Bernard Lackey had an interception. The Bears, now 0-2, will host Mississippi Delta on September 10.
Source: Original Article
