By By Marty Stamper / EMG sports assistant
Oct. 10, 2003
East Central Community College snapped a three-game losing streak with a 42-19 homecoming win over Copiah-Lincoln last Saturday afternoon in Decatur.
The Warriors' next test is a Saturday night date with Jones Junior College, the last unbeaten team in the MACJC.
Jones, ranked No. 4 in the nation by the NJCAA, nipped Southwest 17-14 last week to improve to 5-0 overall and 2-0 in the South Division. ECCC is 2-3 and 1-2.
Jones has one player from last year's Class 5A state champion Wayne County squad in Akeem Lofton and five from 2002 Class 3A state champion Collins.
The Bobcats are unlikely to have forgotten last year's 6-3 triple-overtime loss to the Warriors at Decatur.
Jones has the state's top defense against the run, allowing only 42 yards per game, and the second-best overall defense (196.8 yards).
ECCC is allowing 327 total yards per outing.
The Warriors do have a slight edge in total offense as they average 324.8 yards per game to 313.4 for Jones. The Bobcats lead the state in rushing offense with 217.6 yards per game. ECCC is fourth, rushing for an average of 213.4 yards.
Jones freshman Voncarie Owens of Collins leads the state in rushing, averaging 126.4 yards. ECCC's Germaine Smith is 10th at 68 yards.
ECCC quarterback Terrell Robinson is fourth in passing, completing 43-of-82 tosses for 557 yards. Jones' Derek Boykin is seventh, completing 39-of-94 passes for 419 yards.
ECCC's Titus Ryan is fourth in the state in receiving with 18 catches for 220 yards. Ryan