By Staff
From staff reports
October 6, 2004
It's rare when junior colleges get to enjoy wins for long in Mississippi, but the East Central Community College Warriors got to savor their 44-7 whipping of East Mississippi last Thursday night a little longer than usual as their next game isn't until Saturday against Copiah-Lincoln.
Kickoff for the MACJC South Division contest is set for 2:30 p.m. at Warrior Stadium.
"Thursday to Thursday is a quick turnaround, but Thursday to Saturday, you do have a little bit longer preparation for your next opponent," ECCC head coach Terry Underwood said. "And a little longer to enjoy the win.
"It was a total team effort last week, our best of the year in all three phases. We were pretty solid in every area. Everybody got to play. It was just a positive thing for our whole team.
"Now we have to focus on our next opponent."
Copiah-Lincoln comes in 1-4, but three of the Wolves' losses have been to teams that are still undefeated.
"They're a lot better team than 1-4. They've played Northeast, Pearl River, and Northwest and they're all 5-0. Gulf Coast is 3-2," Underwood said. "To say the least, they've played a very tough schedule.
"They were ahead of Pearl River 14-7 in the third quarter and Pearl River ends up winning 35-14. They've played everybody tooth and nail. They've just come up short. They're probably the most improved team in our league from last year."
Head coach of the Wolves is former Mississippi St. assistant Glenn Davis. The Wolves are averaging 23.6 points and giving up 36.4. ECCC is averaging 19.4 and allowing 18.8.
"It's a division game, it's homecoming, and a lot of things rolled into one," Underwood said. "There ought to be a lot of reasons we're ready to play.
"They're the biggest team we've played to this point. They're really big, large players. It's going to be a huge challenge."
The Wolves defensive line averages 295.5 pounds, while the offensive line averages 286.
ECCC is 3-2 overall and 1-1 in the South Division and still in the playoff hunt along with Pearl River, Hinds, Jones, and Gulf Coast. Co-Lin is 0-2.
"If you go down two (losses), you're not out, but you're depending on everybody else," Underwood said. "You don't control your own destiny, so you want to fight to keep it at one loss.
"As long as we keep winning, we stay in the division race and you've got a chance at one of those two spots."
Marty Stamper
East Mississippi at Northwest
Life doesn't get any easier for East Mississippi Community College this week.
Still searching for their first win, the Lions (0-5) hit the road this week to take on Northwest (5-0) on Thursday at 7 p.m. The Rangers are ranked No. 3 in the nation.
Northwest will continue to rely on its ground game, which tore through Holmes on Thursday in a 35-6 Rangers win. Running back Eldra Buckley and quarterback Lewis Kuffuor combined for 262 rushing yards and four touchdowns in the victory over Holmes.
Meanwhile, East Mississippi's offense is in desperate need of a breakout performance after a disappointing game against East Central on Thursday. After Lions quarterback Chas Brown hit wide receiver Julius Randle for a 77-yard touchdown pass in the first quarter, East Mississippi's offense produced minus-10 yards over the rest of the game, finishing with just 67 yards of total offense.
Will Bardwell
Jones at Pearl River
The 2004 season is on the line for the Jones County Junior College Bobcats this Saturday when they visit Pearl River Community College in Poplarville.
The Bobcats come into the game with a 4-1 overall record and a 2-1 mark in the South Division. Pearl River is undefeated at 5-0 and 3-0.
Last Thursday, the defending state champion Wildcats defeated Hinds 37-30 in a game played in Raymond. Hinds is the only team to defeat the Bobcats, and a second division loss will all but knock the JCJC Bobcats out of the state playoff picture.
Jones picked up a 35-7 victory over Southwest last Saturday in Ellisville. The defense accounted for four touchdowns, including three in the second quarter.
JCJC quarterback Brett Hyatt passed for 151 yards as he completed 19-of-26 passes. His chief target was Milton Collins, who caught 12 passes for 102 yards.
Steve Swogetinsky