By By Jeff Byrd/The Meridian Star
Nov. 2, 2001
The 2001 football season finally comes to an end for the East Mississippi Lions on Saturday.
Paying a Scooba visit will be Region 23 North Division leader Misssissippi Delta Community College. Kickoff is set for 2 p.m. at Windham-Sullivan Field.
The Trojans of Head Coach Jim Southward own an overall 8-1 record and are 5-0 inside the North Division. A win locks up the North Division title and a home date next week in the Region 23 playoffs.
East Mississippi will be trying to find solace in a disappointing campaign. The Lions were blasted last Saturday at Northwest 42-0. The loss was the club's fifth straight to drop them to 2-6 on the season. Two weeks ago, Delta whipped Northwest 34-10.
Lions Head Coach Tom Goode felt several of his players stood out in the loss to Northwest. In fact, it appears two Lion offensive linemen have nailed down senior college scholarships.
Another top sophomore playing in his final game for East will be wide receiver Michael Johnson. Johnson had six catches in the Northwest game to move his season totals to 30 receptions for 424 yards and three touchdowns.
That is not the case with Mississippi Delta who starts an all sophomore offensive line.
Mississippi Delta is led by quarterback Kiki Womack and running back Willie Collins.
East will counter with sophomore quarterback Scotty Elliot and sophomore running back David Yeates. Elliot is 50 of 85 for 602 yards and three TDs.
Yeates has rushed for 440 yards off 101 carries.
Freshman linebacker Joe Hollis ranks fourth in the league in tackles with 62 including 48 solo stops. Safety Ryan Waldrop of Columbus is seventh in the state with 55 tackles including 43 solo. Joe White has 51 stops.
Former Meridian High player Fines Tate starts in the Lions' secondary.
Jeff Byrd is a sports writer for the Meridian Star. He can be reached at 693-1551 or by e-mail at j.byrd@themeridianstar.com.