HATTIESBURG – The PCS Bobcats dominated the battle of the previous unbeatens Friday night at home as they pounded the Adams County Christian Rebels 38-7 with the running game.
Relentlessly, PCS (3-0) stayed on the ground for 53 of its 58 offensive plays, led by the rushing of Sheldon James with 20 carries for a 177 yards and one touchdown. The 5-foot-11, 167-pound senior racked up 140 yards on 14 totes in the first half.
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Bobcats head coach Joey Hawkins said his squad was forced into the ground game because of the defense that ACCS (2-1) played.
“Adams did a good job; they played hard,” he said. “They made it tough on us. We got first downs, but we weren’t able to make the big plays. They had two high safeties and kept everything in front of them. They did a great job; they were well-coached.”
The passing game, which was the Bobcats’ strength in last week’s victory over Columbia Academy, was not able to get on track. Quarterback Brandon Thornton had 1-for-4 passing for 20 yards and an interception.
“When they play four players deep, they are going to keep everything in front, which makes it hard to pass,” Hawkins said. “Every game is different. The last game, we had to go to the pass because they put too many people up front. Tonight, they put them back. It’s just a chess match.”
However, the PCS rushing game and a stalwart defensive effort kept the Rebels in check in the second half.
“The pounding takes an effect, and we just kept smashing, smashing,” Hawkins said.
Fortunately for the Bobcats, they were able to rebound after a woeful first half, managing a 15-7 lead at intermission. After opening the game with a 12-drive, 72-play drive, PCS fumbled the ball into the end zone and lost possession.
“We had a beautiful drive with a first down on the 3-yard line,” Hawkins said. “Then we fumbled. They got the momentum.”
When PCS got the ball on the first ACCS punt, James went 41 yards over right tackle for the Bobcats’ only first-half touchdown and a 6-0 lead with 3:10 to play in the first quarter.
ACCS came back early in the second quarter with a 26-yard scoring run by Dyvekis Ford, one of a handful of quarterbacks that the Rebels used during the game. The kick to convert the PAT gave ACCS a 7-6 lead with11:41 until intermission.
On its next possession, PCS had one touchdown nullified on a holding call and a fourth-down pass on a fake punt failed to connect. However, the Bobcats added another touchdown with 3:02 until halftime when sophomore speedster Eric Robinson went 71 yards around right end, cutting back to the left sideline for the score and a 12-7 PCS lead.
With only second remaining until intermission, senior kicker Jack Runnels booted a 29-yard field goal for the 15-7 margin.
Adams County self-destructed quickly in the second half when a bad snap on the first play went into the end zone and the quarterback was tackled for a safety and a 17-7 PCS lead. Robinson then returned the ensuing kickoff 82 yards for another touchdown and the Bobcats were home free with a 24-7 lead and only 21 seconds had come off the clock in the third quarter.
PCS added two more touchdowns in the third quarter to complete the scoring. Robinson scored his second rushing touchdown when he completed a nine-play, 80-yard drive with an 11-yard run with 4:32 left in the third stanza. Thornton finished up a three-play, 28-yard march with an 18-yard TD scamper around right end with 2:42 remaining in the third quarter.
Thornton finished with nine carries for 88 yards, while Alden Rhian collected 91 yards on 14 carries. Robinson carried the ball a total of five times for 96 yards and two touchdowns along with his kickoff return for a score.
Hawkins said he was pleased with the victory.
“It was a big win for us,” he said. “It was a great night for us and we’ve just got to keep building.”
The PCS Bobcats dominated the battle of the previous unbeatens Friday night at home as they pounded the Adams County Christian Rebels 38-7 with the running game.
Relentlessly, PCS (3-0) stayed on the ground for 53 of its 58 offensive plays, led by the rushing of Sheldon James with 20 carries for a 177 yards and one touchdown. The 5-foot-11, 167-pound senior racked up 140 yards on 14 totes in the first half.
Bobcats head coach Joey Hawkins said his squad was forced into the ground game because of the defense that ACCS (2-1) played.
“Adams did a good job; they played hard,” he said. “They made it tough on us. We got first downs, but we weren’t able to make the big plays. They had two high safeties and kept everything in front of them. They did a great job; they were well-coached.”
The passing game, which was the Bobcats’ strength in last week’s victory over Columbia Academy, was not able to get on track. Quarterback Brandon Thornton had 1-for-4 passing for 20 yards and an interception.
“When they play four players deep, they are going to keep everything in front, which makes it hard to pass,” Hawkins said. “Every game is different. The last game, we had to go to the pass because they put too many people up front. Tonight, they put them back. It’s just a chess match.”
However, the PCS rushing game and a stalwart defensive effort kept the Rebels in check in the second half.
“The pounding takes an effect, and we just kept smashing, smashing,” Hawkins said.
Fortunately for the Bobcats, they were able to rebound after a woeful first half, managing a 15-7 lead at intermission. After opening the game with a 12-drive, 72-play drive, PCS fumbled the ball into the end zone and lost possession.
“We had a beautiful drive with a first down on the 3-yard line,” Hawkins said. “Then we fumbled. They got the momentum.”
When PCS got the ball on the first ACCS punt, James went 41 yards over right tackle for the Bobcats’ only first-half touchdown and a 6-0 lead with 3:10 to play in the first quarter.
ACCS came back early in the second quarter with a 26-yard scoring run by Dyvekis Ford, one of a handful of quarterbacks that the Rebels used during the game. The kick to convert the PAT gave ACCS a 7-6 lead with11:41 until intermission.
On its next possession, PCS had one touchdown nullified on a holding call and a fourth-down pass on a fake punt failed to connect. However, the Bobcats added another touchdown with 3:02 until halftime when sophomore speedster Eric Robinson went 71 yards around right end, cutting back to the left sideline for the score and a 12-7 PCS lead.
With only second remaining until intermission, senior kicker Jack Runnels booted a 29-yard field goal for the 15-7 margin.
Adams County self-destructed quickly in the second half when a bad snap on the first play went into the end zone and the quarterback was tackled for a safety and a 17-7 PCS lead. Robinson then returned the ensuing kickoff 82 yards for another touchdown and the Bobcats were home free with a 24-7 lead and only 21 seconds had come off the clock in the third quarter.
PCS added two more touchdowns in the third quarter to complete the scoring. Robinson scored his second rushing touchdown when he completed a nine-play, 80-yard drive with an 11-yard run with 4:32 left in the third stanza. Thornton finished up a three-play, 28-yard march with an 18-yard TD scamper around right end with 2:42 remaining in the third quarter.
Thornton finished with nine carries for 88 yards, while Alden Rhian collected 91 yards on 14 carries. Robinson carried the ball a total of five times for 96 yards and two touchdowns along with his kickoff return for a score.
Hawkins said he was pleased with the victory.
“It was a big win for us,” he said. “It was a great night for us and we’ve just got to keep building.”
PCS 38,
ACCS 7
Score by Quarter
Adams County Christian 0 7 0 0— 7
Presbyterian Christian 6 9 23 0—38
SCORING SUMMARY
First Quarter
PCS—James, 41 run, (kick unsuccessful), 3:10.
Second Quarter
ACCS—Ford, 26 run, (kick successful), 11:41.
PCS—Robinson, 71 run, (2-point unsuccessful), 3:02.
PCS—Runnels, 29 field goal, 0:13.
Third Quarter
PCS—Safety, 11:52.
PCS—Robinson, 82 kickoff return, (kick successful), 11:39.
PCS—Robinson, 11 run, (kick successful), 4:32.
PCS—Thornton, 18 run, (kick successful), 2:42.
TEAM STATISTICS
ACCS PCS
First Downs 8 22
Rushes-Yards 33-132 53-467
Att-Comp-Int. 10-3-3 5-1-1
Passing Yards 105 20
Total Plays-Yards 43-237 58-487
Punts-Avg. 3-36.0 0-0
Fumbles-Lost 6-1 2-2
Penalties 15-110 6-40
INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS
Rushing
ACCS: Ford 14-90, TD; Huff 7-24, Day 1-16, Thompson 4-5, Thornburg 1-4, Wilson 5-(-8).
PCS: James 20-177, TD; Robinson 5-96, 2TDs; Rhian 14-91, Thornton 9-88, TD; Sumrall 5-15.
Passing
ACCS: Ford 2-of-9, 101 yds., 3 INTs. Ford 1-1 4 yds.
PCS: Thornton 1-of-4, 20 yds., INT. Runnels 0-1.
Receiving
ACCS: Ford 2-101, Wilson 1-4.
PCS: Stonaker 1-20.
