East Central Community College sophomore running back Dwayne Barnett fights for yards on the wet field in first half action at Holmes Community College.

GOODMAN — For Holmes Community College, what could go right went right.

Behind a dominant rushing attack, the No. 11-ranked Bulldogs raced past visiting East Central Community College 49-14 at Ras M. Branch Stadium on a wet and windy Thursday night.

“I told the kids, ‘Don’t worry about the elements, just go out and play,’ and they answered,” Holmes coach Jeff Koonz said. “We were able to move the ball all night, and we didn’t turn the ball over — which, in the offense we run, in the first game, is a good thing.”

Holmes (1-0) would finish the game with 494 yards of total offense. The rushing attack had 457 of those yards.

“We’ve got a veteran offensive line, and they are very athletic, and they come off the ball really well,” Koonz said. “That’s where it all starts is up front. In the option offense, that is good to have.”

Sophomore running back Cameryn Brent led the Bulldog rushing attack with 157 yards on 19 carries and two touchdowns.

Brent’s first score came from 5 yards out that gave Holmes a 7-0 lead with 8:12 left in the first quarter. His second one came from 25 yards out that gave the Bulldogs a 28-0 lead with just over 11 minutes left in the third quarter.

Sophomore quarterback Josh Dodd, a former Kosciusko standout, had 121 yards on 12 carries with two touchdowns. Both of his touchdown runs came in the third quarter from 5 and 54 yards out.

“Thank God for allowing us getting through that hurricane first off. That was rough in the first quarter to play through,” Dodd said. “What was working for us early was the offensive line blocking really well and the backs protecting the ball. When you come from the spread offense in high school to the offense we run, it will work. If you don’t think it’ll work, it will work.”

Backup quarterback Jesse Wilson also had two rushing touchdowns for Holmes from 1 and 10 yards out, while Sanchez Berry added a 13-yard touchdown run with 7:08 left in the second quarter that gave the Bulldogs a 14-0 lead.

Toledo transfer Quentin Gibson went 14 of 28 for 152 yards passing with a touchdown to lead East Central offensively. His touchdown pass went to Kevontaye Caston from 24 yards out with 9:15 left in the third quarter to cut the Holmes lead to 28-7. Antonio Gibson added a 1-yard touchdown run for the Warriors (0-1).

Next week, Holmes travels to Southwest Mississippi Community College, while East Central will play at Northeast Mississippi Community College.