For two quarters, the Augusta Colts gave the best team in their division all it could handle. But in a four-quarter indoor football game, a one-point halftime lead meant little in the Colts' 61-33 loss to the Mississippi Mudcats.
Augusta (6-5) owned a 26-25 halftime advantage over Mississippi (9-1) in Friday night's contest at James Brown Arena, thanks to an active and effective passing game. Quarterback Mike Rathe was sharp early, throwing four first-half touchdowns. Three of the scoring strikes went to receiver Anthony Young, who finished the night with four scores and 91 yards on six receptions. Teammate Isaac West added 10 catches and 118 yards, and the Colts appeared headed for an upset victory.
"It was a good first half," Colts head coach Bubba Diggs said. "But that second half. It's the second-half woes again, just like last week."
Mississippi improved as the game wore on and the Colts broke down in a second half that saw the visiting team dominate. The team with the second-best record in the AIFA scored four times in the third quarter before the Colts could answer.
By the time Young made an across-the-body catch on a 2-yard pass from Rathe for a touchdown late in the third quarter, Augusta was trailing 46-33.
"At halftime, we always make adjustments," Mississippi head coach Brian Brents said. "The guys just went out and executed on them. We've always been a second-half team."
The gap widened when Mississippi quarterback Tommy Jones continued a strong second half with a 24-yard touchdown pass to Maurice Avery on the second play of the fourth quarter.
Mudcats place-kicker Trey Crum added a point on the kickoff, and, after a Colts fumble, Jones found receiver Darryl Carter for the last of his three touchdown receptions to finish off the win.
Jones finished the night 19-for-30 with 301 yards passing and eight touchdowns. His top target, Josh Smith, tallied 123 receiving yards on eight catches and three touchdowns.
"You can't give them time," Diggs said. "You give them time, and they'll pick you apart."
Reach Billy Byler at (706) 823-3216 or billy.byler@augustachronicle.com.
The Augusta Chronicle ©2012. All Rights Reserved.
