Booneville, Miss. - Jamel Dennis has made a number of huge plays for the Northeast Mississippi Community College defense during an incredible two-year period as a starting linebacker.
The sophomore added to that list once again with fumble return for a touchdown on Thursday night at Tiger Stadium. But Pearl River Community College spoiled the actions of Dennis and the Tigers in a 45-28 victory during the last non-division game for both squads.
The Wildcats were poised to extend their lead to two scores midway through the second quarter with a first-and-goal situation from the four-yard line. But a bad exchange between the center and quarterback allowed the pigskin to fall to the ground.
Dennis scooped the fumble and raced 96 yards untouched for a touchdown that gave Northeast a 14-10 advantage. It was the longest return of a loose football so far this season in the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA).
"Pick up the ball and go score is the only thing that I thought of," Dennis said, then smiled. "As I was running down the field I got tired. I'll never forget that play."
The Oxford native capped a phenomenal performance with a career-high 17 tackles with 10 solo stops, which also tied a personal best. Dennis tops the Tigers with five takeaways including four fumble recoveries.
"Jamel is a very talented young man," said Northeast head coach Ricky Smither. "He's played hard and that's all I can ask for him."
Pearl River (4-4) rebounded from the crucial turnover with two straight touchdown runs by Jerome Keys to take a 24-14 lead into the break.
The Wildcats extended their advantage to 38-14 midway through the third on touchdown scampers by Darrell Robinson and Keys. Kaylon Cooper then connected with Bryant Magee for a 36-yard score just before the end of the period.
The Tigers responded with a nice final quarter that was led by Brett Thompson. The sophomore signal caller tossed for over 100 yards in the period and a pair of touchdowns.
Thompson set up Northeast's initial score of the fourth with a 54-yard toss to Jaylynne Robinson. He then found Chandler Dexter wide open in the back of the end zone to complete a nice drive that took only two minutes, 25 seconds.
It was the first touchdown of the campaign and the second career score for Dexter, who has been used mainly in the role of protecting the Tigers' quarterbacks at tight end as a sophomore.
"It was pretty rewarding," Dexter said. "I just executed like I was supposed to and our guys had fantastic blocking. It was a well drawn out play."
Northeast then completed one of the craziest plays of the entire season. Thompson's pass attempt went to Rashad Turner in the middle of the field, but it bounced off his shoulder pads and into the hands of Khalid Kornegay.
The Union (Okla.) High School graduate sprinted down the visitors sidelines and across the goal line after his nice grab to cut Northeast's deficit to 45-28. It was the third consecutive game for Kornegay, who also had 149 all-purpose yards, to catch a touchdown.
Thompson compiled career-highs of 19 completions, 256 yards and 9.1 yards per attempt. The Olive Branch product also had a touchdown pass to Donta Armstrong in the opening period that tied the contest at that point.
Woodrow Prince notched with nine tackles in the inaugural start for the Tigers at safety. University of Mississippi (Ole Miss) commit Marcus Robinson followed Prince with seven takedowns while Mario Virges had six assisted stops.
Northeast (2-6) tallied 11 tackles for loss against Pearl River. Dennis headed the effort with three while Justin Williams added 2.5 and Tray Woody accounted for a pair.
"The defense kept fighting and the offense kept scraping," said Smither. "I'm excited about what's to come. We've just got to keep getting better and that's what we told the guys. I'm proud of the effort even in the loss."
The Tigers wrap up the 2014 football campaign on Thursday, October 23 with a MACJC North Division tilt against Holmes Community College. Kickoff between Northeast and the Bulldogs is set for 6:30 p.m. at Tiger Stadium.