2016 Combined

JUCO FOOTBALL ROUGH OPENER Comeback bidfalls short as East Central loses to Holmes

East Central Community College's Kalen Meggs takes a shot to the head as he attempts to return a kick off against Holmes Comm· nity College Thursday night in Dec~tur.

By Brandon Shields Special to the Star

In the second half, it felt Holmes (1-0) had every answer for East Central (0-1). The Bulldogs led 12-7 going into halftime, but right out of the gate to start the third quarter, East Central's Eric Barnes III returned a fumble 7 rnrds for a touchdown to gi\·e the \\-arriors a 14-12 lead. A. -ew pays ater Holmes' Dejerric Bryant went around the near side on a quarterback keeper and went 64 yards for a touchdown

to give the Bulldogs a 19-14 lead. East Central would retake the lead at 21-19 with 8:54 left in third quarter on a 18 yard touchdown pass from Dom Marino to Antonio Gibson. Holmes would answer right back on a 65 yard touchdown pass from Brvant to Antanus ~food\-. l w~ pretty much all Hobies after that The Bulldogs are - own for a heavy run game under siU:b.- year head coach JeffKnooz. But

tonight it was the passing game that led the Bulldogs. The Bulldogs would pile up s· yards of total offense. Bryant wo go 9of12 passing fo:: _92 ya:d.s "';th three touchd ·.,-::s. =-:e a:..s had ;; yards r.''''· ' - g ~= 5 ~ Y.~~ a :n ::-:..~ ·"-::... _;.:::.a.·.-: :.:s ~-~.:-~. "- -: _: -"--::-=- . . . ..... - - ·...-::s . - _::s..:. ·....::_=-= _ .:_: See JUCO page B 3

DECATUR - At first it looked to be a defensive battle, but in the end it ended up being a shootout. Holmes Community College would break out _ points in third qi.:arter en:oute to a 4 -40 \\IB over East Central Community College at Bailey Stadium on the opening night ofMACJC play.