By By Shawn Wansley/EMG sports writer
October 18, 2003
ELLISVILLE Parker Dykes was running a couple of minutes late for an interview with a reporter earlier this week, but he had an excuse.
The Bobcats, 6-0 overall and 3-0 in the South Division, travel to Poplarville today to meet the Wildcats, 5-1 and 2-1, in a crucial matchup. Kickoff is at 3 p.m. in Dobie Holden Stadium and the game can be heard on WXHB-FM, 96.5.
Jones, ranked No. 3 in the latest National Junior College Athletic Association poll, knows what they are up against in Pearl River.
Dykes said the Wildcats are a pass-oriented offense.
The Bobcats remained unbeaten with a 17-7 decision over East Central last week. The Warriors held a 7-3 halftime lead, but Jones scored on its first two possessions of the second half and rolled to the victory.
score. We had four people grabbing at him and he got away." EC's Titus Ryan scored on a 20-yard run in the second quarter.
The Bobcats got a 47-yard field goal from Ben Beasley, a 10-yard scoring pass from Derek Boykin to Michael Johnson, a two-yard sneak from Boykin and a pair of extra points from Jordan Dennis in the win over the Warriors.
In the South Division, Hinds sits atop the league race at 4-0, followed by Jones at 3-0 and Pearl River at 2-1. The top two teams make the playoffs, so Dykes and the Bobcats understand the importance of the game.
The Wildcats whipped Jones, 44-17, last season and eventually won the South Division.
The Bobcats will play another big game next week, hosting Hinds for Homecoming on Oct. 25 at 2 p.m. Hinds handed Pearl River their only loss of the season, 31-27, at Poplarville last month.
So far, the Bobcats and Wildcats have faced only two common opponents. Jones beat East Central (17-7) and Southwest (17-14). Pearl River beat East Central (35-6) and Southwest (14-6).
The Bobcats and Wildcats figure very prominently in the state junior college statistics.
JCJC freshman Voncarie Owens of Collins leads the state with 758 yards, a 126.3 yards per game average. PRCC's Curtis Hayes is fourth with 491 yards, an 81.8 yards per game average.
Anthony Johnson of Pearl River leads in passing with 234.5 yards per game. He has thrown for 15 touchdowns and has just four interceptions. He is second in passing efficiency with a 140.1 rating. JCJC's Derek Boykin is seventh in passing with 89.8 yards per game and 11th in passing efficiency with a rating of 78.1
Pearl River's Larry Brackens leads the state by averaging 83.2 yards per game and is tops with six TD receptions.