The Jones County Junior College Bobcats dropped to 5-1 following a 26-22 loss at home to the South Division rival Pearl River Wildcats Thursday night.

The No. 3 Bobcats, 3-1 in the South Division, appeared to take over the game early after Demorio Leverett intercepted an Emil Jones pass on Pearl River’s second play of the opening drive.

Jones started at the Pearl River 42. JC quarterback Early James was sacked for a three-yard loss, threw an interception, and passed to Daniel Borne, five yards short of a first down.

Pearl River, ranked No. 10, took over at its own 15, and Jones began an 85-yard scoring drive. On the seventh play of the drive, on first and goal from the three, Jones pitched out to Georgio Hall, who ran three yards for the touchdown. The extra point gave Pearl River a 7-0 lead with 10:09 left in the first quarter.

The Wildcats scored again, following a 75-yard drive.

The touchdown came on an eight-yard run by Matt Williams. The extra point attempt was wide, and Pearl River led 13-0 with 38 seconds remaining in the first quarter.

With about eight minutes left in the first half, Bobcat D.A. Autry blocked a Pearl River punt, giving Jones the ball at the Wildcat 24. A 39-yard field goal attempt was wide to the left, and Pearl River maintained its 13-0 lead.

Pearl River took over on its own 22, and on second and 10, Darrion Wilson intercepted a Pearl River pass and ran for a touchdown. The point after was good and Jones closed the gap to 13-7 with 7:51 left in the first half. Pearl River held onto the lead going into the third quarter.

Jones scored with 1:57 left in the third quarter after taking a punt at its own five-yardline. James hit Jamieon Keyes on a 26-yard pass for first and 10 at the JC 42. On third down, James threw a pass deep to Tristan Purify, good for a 54-yard touchdown. The extra point pulled Jones with in five at 19-14.

DeAntrae McInnish recovered a Pearl River fumble for the Bobcats with about nine and a half minutes left in the game. Jones started at its own 33-yardline. James hit Anthony Jackson for a pass good for a first down at the JC 48. On second and 10, James hit Keyes, giving Jones first down at the Pearl River 39. But Jones punted on fourth and 11.

The Wildcats started at their own five, and Ike Baldwin gave them breathing room on a run to the Pearl River 30. JC took over at its own 40 following a punt, but three incomplete passes forced a Bobcat punt.

On a Pearl River first down at the Wildcat 21, Leverett recovered a fumble and ran for a go-ahead touchdown with 2:36 left. A two-point conversion pass to Jackson, and Jones took a 22-19 lead.

After taking over at its own 25, Pearl River scored on a 41-yard pass to Ray Chisholm. The extra point was good, giving the Wildcats (4-1, 2-1) their 26-22 win.