By By Steve Swogetinsky / EMG staff writer
Sept. 5, 2003
SCOOBA The Jones County Junior College Bobcats opened the 2003 season on an impressive note here Thursday night as they blanked East Mississippi Community College 38-0.
"It was a great way to start the season," said JCJC head coach Parker Dykes. "We were a little concerned going in. We were starting nine freshmen on offense and five on defense. But they came together and played well. I was proud of our kicking game as well. We didn't miss an extra point."
In the end, offense scored three touchdowns; the defense scored two, and place kicker Jordan Dennis booted a field goal and five extra points.
Jones finished the night with 316 total yards and 10 first downs. The Bobcats rushed for 186 markers on 30 carries while completing 8 of 24 passes for 130 yards and no interception.
East Mississippi had 131 yards rushing and 105 yards in passing for 226 total yards.
The Bobcats' defense put JCJC on the scoreboard early in the first quarter. East Mississippi quarterback Daniel Spinks lost the ball as he was slung hard to the ground. Bobcat defender Anthony Kelly picked the ball up on the nine-yard line and ran it in for the touchdown. Jordan Dennis booted the extra point and JCJC led 7-0 with 10:44 left in the first quarter.
The only other points of the first half came later in the first period when Dennis booted a 37-yard field goal, giving JCJC a 10-0 lead at the intermission.
The Jones defense struck again early in the third stanza as Tywan Napper returned an interception 40-plus yards for a touchdown. Dennis' kick was true and JCJC led 17-0 with 13:13 remaining in the third quarter.
The Jones offense scored its first points of the season later in the period when quarterback Derek Boykin connected with wide out Daniel Mitchell on 35-yard touchdown pass play. Dennis kicked the extra point and Jones led 24-0 with 5:30 left in the quarter.
On the first play of the fourth period, former Wayne County all-stater Akeem Lofton made his presence known as he scooted 26 yards for a touchdown. Dennis kicked the extra point and Jones led 31-0.
Jones scored its final points as the Bobcats were trying to run the clock out. Running back Voncarie Owens rounded the left end on a running play and kept going 88 yards for touchdown. Dennis' extra point finished the scoring for the game.
Jones will be back in action next Saturday night when the Bobcats host Mississippi Delta in Laurel for the annual Lions Bowl game. This will be JCJC's final appearance in Laurel. East Mississippi will host Gulf Coast on Thursday night.