Ron Thompson runs wild in loss to Itawamba
POPLARVILLE — Sophomore running back Ron Thompson (Bassfield) had a career game Thursday but Pearl River Community College fell to Itawamba Community College 34-30 at Dobie Holden Stadium.
"We had a good first half and not a good second half," PRCC coach Ted Egger said. "We left too many points off the scoreboard."
Pearl River is back in action Thursday, Sept. 6 when East Mississippi visits Dobie Holden Stadium. Kickoff is set for 6 p.m. The game can be heard on WRJW 1320 AM and viewed on PRCCAthletics.com.
Thompson finished the contest with a game-high 197 yards on 18 carries. He also scored on a 63-yard touchdown run that put PRCC (0-1) ahead 8-7 with 6:12 remaining in the first quarter.
After PRCC forced a punt, a 70-yard run by Thompson set up a 20-yard touchdown strike from freshman quarterback Cooper Callis (Jackson, Missouri) to receiver K.J. Breland (Forrest County AHS). The score pushed the Wildcats ahead 15-7 late in the first quarter.
The PRCC defense got into the scoring early in the second quarter when defensive back Eli Stringfellow (Meridian) pounced on a bad snap in the end zone. The fumble recovery gave PRCC a 21-7 advantage with 13:42 remaining in the first half.
Callis connected with tight end Justin Mary (Oak Grove) for a 7-yard touchdown strike to cap the first half scoring and give PRCC a 27-7 advantage.
After ICC (1-0) scored 20 unanswered in the second half to tie the game 27-27, kicker Will Lang (Indianola Academy) banked a 29-yard field goal attempt off the right upright and through to put the home team back ahead 30-27.
Pearl River Community College running back Ron Thompson (15) rushes against Itawamba Community College on Thursday, Aug. 30. at Dobie Holden Stadium. ICC won 34-30. (BOBBY MCDUFFIE/JUCO WEEKLY)
ICC's DeSean Dinkins scored from 4 yards out with 3:24 remaining in the contest to give the Indians a decisive 34-30 advantage.
Callis completed 14 of 31 passes for 158 yards with two touchdowns and two interceptions. Breland led all PRCC receivers with 61 yards on three catches. Tyler Polk (St. Martin) and Donovan Hickman (Union) also caught three passes for 17 and 23 yards respectively.
ICC rotated two quarterbacks. Spencer Unruh completed 10 of 28 passes for 178 yards, including a 45-yard touchdown to Hiram Wadlington. Unruh was also intercepted early in the second quarter by Kyron Norwood (Forrest County AHS).
Unruh's fellow QB, Laderrick Bell, only completed one pass, but he rushed for 51 yards and a 7-yard touchdown. Dinkins led ICC with 108 yards on 16 carries and scored on runs of 32 and 4 yards. Wadlington rushed for 40 yards and in addition to his lengthy receiving touchdown scored on a 2-yard run.
For the latest on Pearl River Community College athletics, follow us on Twitter (@PRCCAthletics) and Facebook (PRCCAthletics).
