By By Tony Krausz / assistant sports editor
Sept. 10, 2003
SCOOBA East Mississippi Community College head football coach Tom Goode did not like what he saw from his team in the season opener against Jones County Junior College last Thursday.
The Lions (0-1) surrendered 38 points, allowing the Bobcats' offense to score three touchdowns and the defense to score two, in the shutout loss.
EMCC's troubles started early when quarterback Daniel Spinks scrambled to the sideline only to lose the ball on his own nine-yard line. A Jones defender scooped up the loose ball for the first score.
The Lions' offense gave the Bobcats' defense another ball in in the third quarter, as Spinks threw an interception that was returned for a touchdown.
EMCC's defense didn't fare much better, giving up an 88-yard touchdown run as JCJC tried to run down the clock in the closing minutes of the game.
The Lions have a chance to redeem themselves after the start of the season gaffe.
As much as the Lions want a win against the Bulldogs, Goode said playing better is the main goal for his team.
The Lions will be going up against a slightly mysterious foe in the Bulldogs, who EMCC beat last year on the road.
GCCC won its first game of the season against Itawamba Community College, but the 6-3 victory didn't give much for the Lions' coaching staff to work with in preparation.
Goode said GCCC looks to be better than the team EMCC faced last season.
But no matter what their opponents look like, the Lions will need to play better than they did against the Bobcats.
Goode said the team is ready to return to the field and show the opening-game loss was just a fluke, and the coaches are hoping that is just what they see on Thursday.