Rockets remain undefeated with 48-14 win over Holmes Co.
The Neshoba Central Rockets improved to 4-0 as they defeated Holmes County Central 48-14 on the road Friday night in a Region 2-5A contest.
Senior quarterback Eli Anderson had another big night as he threw for three touchdowns and ran for two more. He completed 9-of-14 passes for 198 yards and ran for 51 yards on five carries. The Rockets rushed 26 times for 189 yards, finishing the night with 387 total yards and 11 first downs.
Holmes County took the opening kickoff and drove 80 yards in eight plays for a touchdown. The touchdown came on a 15-yard TD pass, The extra point was no good and the Jaguars led 6-0 with 8:33 left in the first quarter.
Three plays later, Anderson connected with Bryceton Spencer on a 71-yard pass that put the ball on the Holmes 1-yard line. On the next play, Anderson ran it in for a touchdown with 7:30 left in the first quarter. Hunter Bavetta kicked the extra point and the Rockets led 7-6.
Later in the first quarter, Anderson ran 30 yards for a touchdown. Bavetta kicked the extra point and the Rockets led 14-6 with 2:51 left in the first quarter.
In the second quarter, the Rockets’ Demarkez West recovered a fumble and Neshoba Central took over on the Holmes five-yard line. On the next play, Anderson ran it in. Bavetta kicked the extra point and the Rockets led 21-6 with 10:34 left in the second quarter.
On the next Neshoba Central possession, Anderson passed to Dez McWilliams on a 33-yard TD pass play. Bavetta’s kick was good and the Rockets led 28-6.
Holmes County scored on a 43-yard TD pass play. The Jaguars scored on the 2-point conversion and trailed 28-14 at the half.
McWilliams intercepted a Holmes County pass to set up the only score of the third quarter. Spencer ran it in from four yards out. The kick failed and the Rockets led 34-14 with 5:15 left in the third quarter.
Neshoba Central opened the fourth quarter with a 21-yard TD pass from Anderson to Ja’Naylon Dupree. Bavetta kicked the extra point and the Rockets led 41-14 with 11:43 remaining.
The Rockets recovered a fumble on the Holmes eight-yard line. Zander Kirkland ran it in for the touchdown. Bavetta kicked the extra point to end the scoring.
Spencer finished with four catches for 110 yards while Dupree had four catches for 55 yards. McWilliams had one catch for 33 yards. Kirkland rushed for 96 yards on 13 carries.
Defensively, McWilliams had five tackles, two assists, two pass breakups and two interceptions. Elijah Ruffin had four tackles, one assist and one pass breakup. Beau Holley had one tackle and five assists. Kelbee Holmes had three tackles for loss and five assists.
The Rockets now turn their attention to Friday night’s game against Provine. The Rams stand at 1-3 following Friday night’s loss to Ridgeland. The game will be played 42-0 loss at the Forest Hill field.