Booneville, Miss. – For the second straight week, Northeast Mississippi Community College came within one score of taking a lead in the closing moments of its football game.

But time again ran out for Northeast and its come-from-behind effort in the 2013 home opener at Tiger Stadium. Jones County Junior College avenged last year's loss to the Tigers with a 34-28 victory on Thursday night.

The Bobcats opened up a seemingly comfortable 28-7 lead with two quick touchdown drives to start the second half.

Jones County received the kickoff and moved 75 yards in one minute, twenty seconds. Steven Swindle found Quartez Cooks for a 14-yard scoring pass.

Four minutes later, the Bobcats moved their advantage to 21 points on a five-yard touchdown run by Ra'Quazious Boyd.

Northeast (0-2) would respond in a big way from that point and firmly grasp the momentum for the remainder of the third quarter.

The Tigers moved the ball downfield rapidly and cut into their deficit just over a minute after Jones County connected on their fourth score. Quarterback Jerrard Randall completed passes of 20 yards to Raymond Gee and 32 yards to Demarrion Haynes to push his team into the red zone.

Randall then capped the offensive spurt with an 8-yard sprint into the end zone. Chris Cooper made the third of four successful extra point attempts on the evening to edge the Tigers closer at 28-14.

Grant McLaurin's 45-yard field goal attempt on the Bobcats' next possession bounced off the bottom cross bar to give Northeast the ball back. Another swift drive saw the Tigers make it a one score game when Randall found Mitchell Cunningham on a five-yard screen pass for six points.

Ricky Parks scored his second touchdown in as many contests on a five-yard reception to get Northeast as close as 31-28 with 7:28 to play, but turnovers cost the Tigers dearly in the fourth quarter.

Two fumbles and an interception in that period spoiled possible scoring opportunities. Both fumbles came with Northeast moving the ball near midfield and seeking to either tie the game or take the lead.

For the whole contest, the Tigers had five turnovers while Jones County (2-0) played errorless ball.

"There's no way you can beat a team like Jones when you turn it over five times," said Northeast head coach Ricky Smither. "It just kills you, man. You cannot turn the football over and we preach it everyday."

Randall improved greatly from week one of the season and racked up 348 yards on 24 of 42 passing. He led the Tigers right out of the gates on a three play scoring drive to open the gridiron matchup.

The sophomore connected with Khalil Stinson, who was wide open down the middle of the field, for a 69-yard touchdown pass that gave Northeast a 7-0 advantage.

"The (offensive) line held the defensive line real good and (Randall) just put a good ball in," said Stinson, who had 127 yards receiving on five catches. "I broke a tackle and just ran … ran to the end zone."

Jones County took a 14-7 halftime lead. Their dual threat quarterback system saw Swindle and Kenneth Coleman complete scoring tosses to Taylor Higgason and Cooks, respectively.

Swindle played the majority of the game and finished with 307 yards in the air on 18 completions. Northeast outgained its opponent in total yardage 576-519 and had seven more first downs.

McLaurin added two fourth-quarter field goals for what would end up being the decisive points.

"We just have to stay humble," said Randall. "Last week I didn't play a good game and this week I didn't play a good enough game to win so I've just got to come even harder and try to win every game I can. I don't want to lose anymore games."

Cunningham had another solid night rushing with 129 yards on 14 attempts to guide a Tigers running back core that compiled 228 yards.

Jamel Dennis continued to impress on defense. The freshman and teammates Gregdrecus Leland and Daniel Ross each had eight tackles apiece. Leland had two tackles for loss.

Mississippi Association of Community and Junior Colleges (MACJC) North Division play begins next week when Northeast hosts Holmes Community College (0-2). Kickoff for the last contest in a two-game home stand is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. at Tiger Stadium.