Coahoma Community College had a 27-17 lead on homecoming Saturday when Mississippi Delta Community College came to town, but the Tigers could not hang on down the stretch.
CCC (1-4) suffered its fourth consecutive defeat with a 29-27 loss.
The first of two late Trojans scores came on a 1-yard pass with 4:07 remaining and the second was a 10-yard pass with 1:35 on the clock.
In spite of the loss, those affiliated with CCC were happy to be at homecoming Saturday.
Charles Barron Sr. restarted the football program in 1975 and was an assistant the first year before going to Mississippi Valley State University the next year.
“I think it’s (the program) on the move,” he said. “It’s going to take experience. We have to get a few more recruits.
“I don’t think anybody doubts it’s a good place to go to school. I think we’ve got to get the community behind the college.”
Dr. Jonathan Harris, a retired medical physician, was the CCC team physician and attends every homecoming.
“We’re No. 1,” he said.
Tigers quarterback Joseph Johnson threw a 3-yard touchdown pass to Josh Stevenson with 8:02 remaining to give the Tigers a 10-point lead.
CCC led for most of the contest.
With CCC leading 12-11 right before the end of the first half, Mississippi Delta completed a Hail Mary pass inside of the 20, but defensive back Bobbieal Ellzey made a touchdown saving tackle to keep the Tigers lead in tact before the half.
CCC lost on a Hail Mary at MDCC on the final play in 2018, but that was not the cause of this year’s loss.
Jawonta Woodruff ran a fumble back 30 yards for a touchdown with 14:25 remaining in the third quarter to increase the Tigers lead to 20-11. MDCC cut the lead to 20-17 before CCC extended its advantage to double digits.
The Trojans jumped out to an early 8-0 lead, but Johnson rolled to his right and threw a 13-yard touchdown pass to Kalem Reddix with 11:03 remaining in the first half to cut the lead to 8-6.
CCC took a 12-8 lead as Johnson threw a 12-yard touchdown on a screen pass to Deldrionn Amos with 6:53 remaining in the first half.
Coahoma calculated 269 total yards made up of 219 passing yards and 50 rushing yards. Johnson led the Tigers with 21 of 31 passes for 219 yards and three touchdowns. Reddix secured seven catches for 78 yards and a touchdown. Stevenson captured six catches for 48 yards and a touchdown.
Coahoma goes to 1-4 (0-3 MACJC North) on the season. They will play their final non-division game against Hinds Community College Thursday in Raymond. Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. on Gene Murphy Field at the Joe Renfroe Stadium.
CCC sports information director Vashon Jones contributed to this report.
