WESSON – The Holmes Bulldogs may not be the state championshipcaliber team it was last year but they played well enough Thursdaynight to beat the Co-Lin Wolves 28-6 at Stone Stadium.

It was Holmes’ second win of the season as the Bulldogs improvedto 2-5. Co-Lin fell to 2-5 with the loss.

“I thought Co-Lin had big play possibilities,” said Holmes headcoach Hugh Shurden following the win. “We felt we could containtheir running game. Their No. 4 (Jonathan Little) is a heck of anathlete.”

Holmes took its opening drive and marched 60 yards in 8 plays toset up a 31-yard run by running back Kelvin Smith for the firstBulldog touchdown of the game. Matt Garren kicked his first of 4PATs to give Holmes an early 7-0 lead with 9 minutes left in thefirst quarter.

In the second quarter, Holmes got a break when linebackerDemoris Henderson picked off Co-Lin quarterback Ty Smith’s pass atthe 50-yard line. Following a 15-yard penalty assessed against theWolves for clipping, the Bulldogs put together a 35-yard, 4-playdrive. Holmes’ running back Sedric Clay that exploded for a 31-yardrun for a 14-0 advantage.

With 3:44 remaining in the first half, Holmes struck again. TheBulldogs ran 3 plays when quarterback Carrio Rudolph hit widereceiver Eric Marshall on a 76-yard touchdown pass to give Holmes a21-0 edge at halftime.

Co-Lin punched in its only touchdown of the night in the thirdquarter. The Wolves marched 74 yards in 6 plays when quarterbackJonathan Little went up the middle for the 2-yard score. The runfor 2 points failed and Co-Lin trailed Holmes 21-6 with 11:15 onthe clock.

The Bulldogs struck one more time in the fourth quarter. Holmesran 2 plays when second quarterback Jonatroius Brown found widereceiver Mandell Smith open for a 76-yard shot and the final scoreof the game for the 28-6 win.

“Holmes played a fine football game,” said Co-Lin head coachDavid Poinsett. “No. 7 (Jontarious Brown) did a good job for them.Our defense played hard. Inconsistencies hurt us.”

Holmes attempted a field goal in the first and third quarterthat missed its mark.

Co-Lin finished the game with 9 first downs and 189 offensiveyards. Holmes got 11 first downs and 310 total yards onoffense.

In the second half, Co-Lin’s defense held Holmes to 7 first downand 68 yards rushing.

On defense, Co-Lin linebacker Billy Ray Miller recorded 2quarterback sacks of 12 and 3-yards respectively. Defensive backLewis Thompson intercepted a pass.

“We will come back and work on the fundamentals,” addedPoinsett. “We have to improve. We are looking for a full footballgame.”

Co-Lin visits South Division rival Southwest and Holmes hostsNortheast. Game time is 7 p.m.