By By Marty Stamper/The Meridian Star
Oct. 10, 2001
The East Central Community College Warriors claimed a big victory Saturday when they knocked off 13th-ranked Copiah-Lincoln 28-14 in Wesson.
But the Warriors haven't had much time to celebrate that win as they prepare for Thursday's date with defending state champion Hinds Community College. Kickoff for the South Division contest is slated for 7 p.m. at Raymond.
EC improved to 4-1 overall with the win. The Warriors are 2-0 in the South Division.
Hinds, 2-3 overall and 0-2 in the division, comes into Thursday's contest with a rare three-game losing streak. The Eagles have dropped decisions to Pearl River (25-22 in overtime), Gulf Coast (26-24), and Northwest Mississippi (41-29).
ECCC hasn't defeated Hinds since a 24-21 victory at Raymond in 1981 as the Eagles have won the last 19 meetings.
ECCC ranks second in the state in rushing yardage at 202 yards per game. Hinds is third at 188.4.
Caris London (6-2, 185) of Hinds is No. 1 in the state in rushing, averaging 137.6 yards per game. ECCC's Patrick Prince (5-9, 197) is third at 111.4.
Hinds is second in the state in total offense at 407.2 yards per game, while the Warriors are seventh at 306.2.
Hinds quarterback Patrick Walker (6-5, 220) has completed 55-of-117 passes for 748 yards, while John Atterberry (5-11, 182) has completed 14-of-30 tosses for 247 yards.
ECCC'S Brian Zbydniewski (6-3, 190) has completed 46-of-91 passes for 521 yards.
Hinds' Chauncey Stovall (6-2, 204) has 26 receptions for 435 yards and five touchdowns. Seneca Chambers (6-2, 174) has 14 catches for 306 yards.
ECCC's Dontay Spillman (6-2, 195) has 13 catches for 230 yards, while Marcus Lee (5-9, 175) has 16 receptions for 193 yards.
The Eagles rank ninth in the state in total defense while ECCC checks in at No. 6.
Hinds defensive end Andra Holston (6-2, 224) and defensive back Chris Dixon (6-0, 180) rank third and fourth in the state in sacks with 4.5 and 4, respectively. Dixon has also caused three fumbles.
Keith Curry (6-3, 225) leads ECCC in sacks with three. John Bibb (5-11, 225) leads the Warriors in tackles with 34 solo and 16 assists. Melvin Cotton (6-0, 225) has 28 solo and 15 assists.
Experience favors the Warriors. Of the two 55-man rosters, Hinds has 41 freshmen while ECCC has 31 sophomores.
The game may be heard on 98.3 WSSI-FM in Carthage.
Marty Stamper is a sports writer for The Meridian Star. E-mail him at mstamper@themeridianstar.com or call him at 693-1551, ext. 3234.