Pearl River Community College - Wildcat Yearbook (Poplarville, MS)

Page 31 text:

Wildcats have outstanding comeback effort, but still lose to Northwest 24-20 Pearl River gave up hope for an undefeated season Sep- tember 9, as they gave up four fumbles and 24 points to a tough Northwest team. The Rangers turned the four miscues into three touchdowns and a field goal to give the Ranger team a 24-7 lead with only ten minutes remaining. The River nearly pulled a miracle, though, scoring two quick touchdowns and then the chance to win it all when they ran out of time on the Northwest 14. The tough Northwest offense, led by number 45 (Ben Evans), operated from deep in their own territory most of the first quarter; giving the Cats excellent field position on their punts. The Wildcat offense only threatened once in the first half. Randy Boyette attempted a 25-yard field goal with 1:21 remaining in the first quarter. The try was wide to the left, and score remained deadlocked 0-0 until the final play of the half. Northwest recovered a fumble on their own 41, and with the help of a 15-yard PRC penalty, marched down to the PRC 33, where Sammy Knight booted a field goal and the Rangers took a 3-0 lead into the lockers. The last 30 minutes was entirely different from the first as the explosive veer offensive units battled it out. The two, picked previously as state contenders for the title, racked up a total of 41 points in the second half. Pearl River opened the scoring with a nine-yard pass from quarterback Mike Magee to Robert Williams, capping a 63-yard drive in just seven plays. Boyette added the PAT for a very short-lived lead. Northwest was held on the ensuing series, giving the River first-and-ten from their own 30. Again, the Cats picked up two first downs before Phil Robertson fumbled. Gary Hunt came up with the bobble and 11 plays later. Northwest was in the lead for keeps. 27

Page 30 text:

' ' Dreams, so they say, are for the fools ' ' . . . Clubs organize It was only the sec- ond week of school and several organiza- tions on campus were busy getting things organized on campus. The Wesley Foundation and BSU met to welcome new mem- bers and elect officers. The response was good and the two clubs were off and running for another year. Viking 11-24 America took another step in science when Vik- ing II made its debut on Mars. Vital information in- dicated that it was possi- ble that life is or was on the surface of the planet.

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NW 24- PRC 20 continued Evans, the work-horse, took it in from the five, and Robbins added the point- after to bring the tally to 10-7. Only seconds passed before the Rangers were clicking up points on the scoreboard again. A fumbled pitch by the Cats set up another devastating score. On the next play, a 36-yard pass posted six more in favor of Northwest. Knight added his first of two PAT ' s, bring- ing the slate to 17-7 North- west. A fumbled punt reception by the Cats on the next series gave the big Northwest offense another chance from the Wildcat 15. A five-yard penalty on the Cats added to the cause making it first and goal. Ben did it again, so did Knight, giving the Rangers a convincing 24-7 lead. Wildcat Andy Robichaux pulled his way over from the one with 6;57 showing in the contest. Boyette added another point, and the score was 24-14. The River had a chance. Magee ' s passing was near- perfect as he engineered the 75-yard drive ending in the score. Donnie Sorrells, Robert Williams and Phil Robertson were the main targets and all gathered in at least one major pass in the series. Northwest returned a favor, as Tommy Trahan picked off a misguided aeriel and returned it to the NW eight. Phil Robertson took it to the goal line, but fumbled. Frank Woods recovered in the end zone for another PRC TD. Boyette brought the score 24-20 with 5:58 re- maining. The tough defense held and forced a punt to the River 36. With 2;36 remain- ing, the Cats made their last stand. After several passes, the River retired the ball on downs at the NW 14. North- west ran off the remaining seconds and PRC had, after a gallant effort to return, drop- ped the opener. It was a long ride home from Senatobia ... A tough Jones team was in the near future for the season opener. 28