Late-game heroics send Pearl River past East Mississippi for first time since 2008

Dylan Dunaway - PRCC Sports Information Director

POPLARVILLE, Miss. — Kabe Barnett (Hattiesburg; Oak Grove) received the snap and the East Mississippi safety bit on a route. The Pearl River quarterback stepped forward in the pocket to buy some time and saw the streaking Martavious Reed (Forrest; Scott Central) downfield. Barnett flicked his arm forward and delivered a beautiful pass up the seam to his wide receiver for the go-ahead 42-yard touchdown with 1:17 left on the clock.

The Wildcat defense held strong on what proved to be East Mississippi's final drive of the night, forcing a turnover on downs — capped off by a big tackle for loss by Jalen Anderson (Slidell, La.). Pearl River ran one quick play on offense to secure the 32-28 victory, sending jubilant Wildcats spilling around the field. It was PRCC's first win over EMCC since 2008, when the Wildcats defeated the Lions 42-35 in the MACJC Semifinal.

"If you fold, you lose, but if you believe you can achieve," head coach Seth Smith said. "These guys kept fighting. When you do your job and go full speed every single play, you have a chance to win every game. These kids did that tonight."

The game-winning touchdown was Barnett's third of the game after accounting for another through the air and one on the ground. He finished the night 15-for-24 for 236 yards and two touchdowns while adding 73 yards and a score on the ground.

"He played to his ability. He played how he looks," Smith said. "Our kids played off him. He had fun and didn't play tight. He trusted Coach (David) Boykin, and Coach Boykin trusted him."

On the defensive side of the ball, Amarion Tyson (Picayune) had a career night, racking up 14 tackles, 4.5 tackles for loss and one forced fumble from his linebacker position.

"Amarion is a visual aid for a coach to say play like him," Smith said. "I used him as an example today and have so many times. He plays with so much energy and people feed off that."

EARLY SCORING

Pearl River (4-3 overall) was first on the scoreboard on the night. On the opening East Mississippi (3-4) drive, the Wildcat defense forced a fumble. Amari Butler (Petal) laid a big hit on the quarterback, and Travis Bendolph Jr. (Mobile, Ala.; Theodore) picked up the loose ball and scampered down the field. The Wildcats used a big 29-yard rush by Shadamien Williamson (Waynesboro; Wayne County) to get deep into EMCC territory, and Williamson promptly punched the ball from 14 yards out. The extra point attempt failed, and PRCC led 6-0.

East Mississippi immediately responded, using a 13-play, 77-yard drive to move in front 7-6 on a 12-yard touchdown pass. The Wildcats nearly had their next drive fizzle out if not for a big connection between Barnett and Akeem Stokes (Pensacola, Fla.; Escambia). Barnett scrambled to his right and zipped a pass over the middle to Stokes for a big 17-yard gain. Three rushes later, Barnett capped off the drive with a 4-yard rushing touchdown, 12-7.

Things didn't look good for the Wildcats from there as their offensive drives ended with little progress, and the Lions rattled off 18 unanswered points to take a 25-12 into the third quarter.

THE COMEBACK

Pearl River needed a spark trailing by 13 points with 4:15 left in the third quarter — and got just that. The East Mississippi quarterback dropped back to pass, and Pearl River's 5-foot-5 electric factory of a linebacker Tyson struck. The freshman bolted in from his position and got a helmet on the football to force it out. Chavarius Garrett (Senatobia) scooped up the bouncing ball and carried it to the endzone for a 15-yard score, 25-18. 

The Lions got on the scoresheet again with 6:23 left in the contest, booting a 22-yard field goal to extend their lead to 10 points at 28-18.

Pearl River didn't let the dying clock bother it, as the Wildcats needed just six plays to go 75 yards and get a score. Barnett was a field general on the drive. He rushed for three yards before completing a pass to Howard Kinchen (Lafayette, La.; Patterson) for five yards. He then hit Christian White (Ocean Springs) over the middle for 11 more. A Keenan Franks (State Line; Greene County) rush later, and Barnett connected with Javonta Caldwell (Laurel) for seven yards. Barnett and Caldwell linked up again on the follow-up play. With pressure in his face, Barnett ripped an off-balance pass to Caldwell — and the receiver did the rest. Caldwell caught the pass, spun around to lose a defender and zipped up the field for a 44-yard touchdown. 

The Wildcat defense immediately forced a three-and-out for the Lions, and that was when the game-winning drive occurred. After dinking and dunking his way down the field, Barnett connected with Reed for the 42-yard go-ahead score.

"I was watching to see if the overhangs were going to blitz again," Barnett said. "They showed blitz but backed up. When the safety moved, I saw the vertical pop open and threw it. I was just praying he caught it."

Pearl River's defense forced a turnover on downs on the ensuing EMCC drive and the Wildcats beat the Lions 32-28.

STATISTICALLY SPEAKING

Barnett was 15 of 24 for 236 yards and two touchdowns. He earned 73 yards on the ground and a score. 

Williamson carried the ball nine times for 56 yards and a score.

Caldwell caught three passes for 67 yards and a score. Reed caught five passes for 67 yards and a touchdown. White caught three passes for 46 yards. Kinchen caught two for 41 yards. 

Tyson had an unbelievable night for the Wildcats on defense, tallying a game-high 14 tackles and 4.5 tackles for loss. He also forced a fumble. Anderson, Bendolph Jr. and Ja'Quaylen Love (Brandon) tied for second on the team with six tackles apiece.

NEXT UP

The Wildcats head to Hinds next week for a 7 p.m. matchup against the Eagles.

TUNE IN

All Pearl River football games are livestreamed for free at PRCCMedia.com/Gold. Fans who have Roku, Amazon Fire or Apple TV devices can also watch the Wildcat broadcasts by downloading the "Pearl River CC" channel from their app stores.

Games can also be heard at WRJW 1320-AM, 106.9 FM and WRJWRadio.com.

For the latest on Pearl River Community College athletics, follow us on X (@PRCCAthletics) and Facebook (PRCCAthletics).