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Pearl River showed some rust in its season opener Thursday at Dobie Holden Stadium, falling to Mississippi Delta 31-6.

The Wildcats (0-1 overall) struck first at the 8:18 mark of the first quarter as former Gatorade Player of the Year Tony Brown (Hurley; East Central) caught a pitch and took it around the right side for a 7-yard score. PRCC held a 6-0 lead after a missed PAT.

The visiting Trojans (1-0) took advantage of penalties and Wildcat miscues to score 17 unanswered and take a 17-6 advantage into halftime.

The second half was dominated by the two defenses. Pinned on their own 1-yard line early in the fourth quarter, the Wildcats found some momentum offensively. Bryce Wallace (Pulaski, Tenn.; Giles County) scrambled for a big 11-yard gain to pick up a first down and then dumped a short pass to the left side for Chris Holifield Jr. (Mobile, Ala.; Leflore). The second-year running back dashed down the home sideline and across midfield for what looked to be a big gain but was stripped of the ball.

The Trojans capitalized on the turnover, marching down the field and scoring with 5:06 remaining to extend their lead to 24-6. Following another PRCC turnover, the Trojans tacked on an insurance score.

LEADING THE WAY

Wallace completed 18 of 32 passes for 229 yards in his PRCC debut.

Tavion Smith (Hattiesburg; Oak Grove) was Wallace’s go-to target, setting career-highs with seven receptions and 106 yards. Smith’s longest reception was a 52-yarder where the 6-foot-4 receiver took the pass down the home sideline, fought off a couple defenders and cut back across the field for more yardage before eventually being hauled down.

Holifield and Josh Sanders (Magee) finished with 37 and 35 yards receiving, respectively.

PRCC rushed for 147 yards collectively. Wallace ended up leading PRCC on the ground with 48 yards. Brown added 40 yards on 12 carries. Will Young (Hurley; East Central) finished third on PRCC with 26 yards.

Noah Mitchell (Leakesville; Greene County) led PRCC with nine total tackles and recorded the Wildcats’ lone sack. Chanton McCray (Taylorsville) added six. Zach Jones (Hurley; East Central) and Justin Jefferson (Memphis, Tenn.; Bartlett) each finished with five tackles.

Unfortunately for the Wildcats, five turnovers and 15 penalties for 114 total yards proved to be too much to overcome Thursday.

NEXT UP

Pearl River will hit the road for two straight weeks, visiting Coahoma next Thursday, Sept. 9, before visiting MACCC South Division foe Mississippi Gulf Coast on Sept. 16. The Wildcats return home Sept. 23 to welcome Copiah-Lincoln to Dobie Holden Stadium. Kickoff at CCC is set for 6:30 p.m.

TICKETS 
Fans are strongly encouraged to purchase tickets in advance to avoid lines. Tickets for Pearl River home games are available at PRCCAthletics.com/tickets.

TUNE IN  
The Wildcats will once again livestream all games 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 will also be available over the air in Pearl River County by tuning into 1320 AM and 106.9 FM., in Columbia on WCJU 102.7 FM and 1450 AM, and in Hattiesburg on WHSY 105.9 FM and 950 AM. The radio broadcast is also available at WRJWRadio.com and by downloading the WRJW app.

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