1982-1986

Junior Colleges last year's near miss may be in ECJC's past

By Dove Bean The Meridian Star

DECATUR - Last season, East Central Junior College came just short of making the state playoffs. It now appears it may be a long way from " just short." " Truthfully, it will be hard for us to play as well as last year," head coach A.J. Kilpatrick said. "We're a long ways from being as good a football team as we were last season. "We will be young. The freshmen will need to come thr ough to have a good team." · Last season, the Warriors finsished with a 6·3-1 record in the South Division and was a definite playoff contender through most of the season. However, their record only netted them a third-place spot in the division. ECJC lost 28 lettermen from the '83 team and return only 16. The ones who return will be at key positions . The big returner will be at quarterback where David Pleasants will start once more. Pleasants will be joined in the backfield with return– ing fullback Ricky Goss. Other key people returning to the offense includes guards Michael Nunn and Mike Stojkovic and tackle Joey Freeny. Back to the defense this season will be a familiar linebacker duo. Willie Sangster will be at one linebacker while Greg Carbren, a player Kilpatrick said " is the leader on the defense," will be at the other spot. "We look good but we're mostly freshmen, " Kilpatrick said. "We're pretty young but we're pleased with the progress we've made." Although his personnel could be better, Kilpatick also considers the ECJC schedule a factor which may hold them back. " Our schedule is as tough as you can make it," the coach said. "We have to play all the South

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