Wild Finish Slips Away as Indians Drop Heartbreaker at Pearl River

POPLARVILLE, Miss. – The Indians dropped a heartbreaking 48-42 decision on the road Thursday night against Pearl River Community College.

Pearl River (1-1) opened the game with a 90-yard kickoff return for a touchdown, putting ICC (0-2) in an early hole. The Indians quickly answered with a 38-yard scoring drive capped by a 4-yard touchdown run from Mykel Allen (Batesville) to grab a 7-6 lead midway through the first quarter.

The Wildcats responded with a 10-yard rushing score and a 61-yard strike through the air to take a 20-7 advantage after the opening frame. Eli Burciaga (Corinth) provided a boost at the half, drilling a 41-yard field goal as time expired to cut the deficit to 27-10.

Coming out of the locker room, ICC delivered its best drive of the night. Jaylen Foster (Greenwood, SC) capped a 13-play march with a 12-yard touchdown run to pull the Indians within 27-16. Pearl River countered with two touchdowns to build a 41-16 lead early in the fourth quarter.

That's when the Indians came alive.

Marcellus Jackson (Fulton, Tenn.) sparked the rally with a 95-yard kickoff return for a touchdown, the first kickoff return score for ICC since All-American Terry Williams' (Southaven) 69-yard return in a 68-28 win against Northeast in 2017.

Moments later, Amir Scarver (Douglasville, Ga.) recovered a Wildcat fumble. Three plays after the turnover, Allen powered through a tackle at the line and raced 16 yards to the end zone, trimming the margin to 41-30.

Bailey then connected with Nate Branch (Hopkins, SC) on a 33-yard touchdown strike to make it 41-36 with 8:08 left. On the next drive, Allen capped the comeback with a 1-yard plunge that gave the Indians a 42-41 lead with just 1:15 remaining.

But Pearl River had one last answer. On its first play from scrimmage, the Wildcats struck for an 88-yard touchdown pass to reclaim the lead, 48-42, with 56 seconds to go. ICC's final chance came on a Bailey heave that was tipped and intercepted in the end zone as time expired.

Bailey finished with 185 yards and a touchdown through the air on 18-of-29 passing. Branch was his top target with 10 receptions for 126 yards and a touchdown. Allen carried the load on the ground with 104 yards and two touchdowns on 26 attempts.

ICC will look to regroup Thursday when they travel to Decatur to face East Central Community College (0-2). The Warriors are coming off a 29-10 loss at No. 3 Northwest. The Metro Ford Pregame Show begins at 6:30 p.m. on SuperTalk 101.9 FM and LetsGoICCTV.com/red, with the Guaranty Bank Opening Kick set for 7 p.m.