By By Marty Stamper / EMG sports assistant
Oct. 25, 2002
The East Central Community College Warriors struggled early this fall, but have turned giant killers of late.
The next behemoth standing in their way are the Northwest Mississippi Rangers. Kickoff for Saturday's game at Senatobia is set for 1:30 p.m.
In the last two weeks, the Warriors have beaten Jones (6-3) and Hinds (23-20) for the first time in the same season since 1978. Jones was ranked No. 2 nationally before the Warriors' triple-overtime win. They haven't beaten those two along with Northwest in the same year since 1959.
After an 0-3 start, the Warriors are 3-4 overall and 3-2 in the MACJC South Division.
Northwest is having an off-year by Ranger standards. The Rangers are 3-4 overall and 3-2 in the North Division.
Bobby Robison, a 6-foot-3, 205-pound sophomore from Fort Walton Beach, Fla., recently returned to the Ranger lineup and threw for 408 yards and six touchdowns in a 53-17 rout of East Mississippi last week. John Harris, a 6-foot-1, 180-pound freshman from Americus, Ga., caught nine passes and scored four touchdowns.
With the Warriors playing out of division this week, they will remain in the playoff picture heading into an Oct. 31 regular season finale at Southwest Mississippi. A win over the Bears might be enough to give the Warriors their second straight playoff berth.
Gulf Coast hosts Pearl River on Saturday and goes to Jones on Oct. 31.