1982-1986

ilpatrick worried about first contest By Paul McRaney fYlS ~-~\- ~ The Meridian Star DECATUR - Though East Central Junior College's season-opener with Itawamba Junior College here Saturday at 7:30 p.m. will not count in the playoff picture for either team, ECJC head coach A.J. Kilpatrick feels that it is just as important. "We have a basically young team coming back this season and we need to get our freshmen playing together with our sophomores," said Kilpatrick. "It's too early to be looking ahead, but we will play Copiah-Lincoln next week, who is in our division and is always tough." If Kilpatrick expects to look past Itawamba to Co-Lin he will be in trouble, for the Indians are picked to contend for the North Division ti– tle, but he knows this. "Jtawamba has over the years been a tough football team to beat, " said Kilpatrick. "They were a little down last year agd we didn't get to play them, but they always have big strong players. " The Indians at IJC broke even last season at 5-5 overall and were 3-3 in the North Division, while East Central was 6-3-1 and x-x-x. For the Warriors to be successful they must replace heavy losses on defense where graduation took the entire secondary and all but one lineman On offense, quarterback Stacy Powell and both wide receivers were lost to graduation also. Sophomore David Pleasants of Altanta is expected to fill in for Powell and according to Kilpatrick, East Central will not be hurt by the change. "David is an excellent field general for our team," Kilpatrick said. "He saw limited action last year, but he showed a lot of promise last spring and needs to get some playing time. "We are pretty well set up at fullback also since Ricky Goss transfered here from Delta State last spring and improved our runn– ing attack. "Goss is big and quick and he is an excellent blocker," continued Kilpatrick. Leading the way for Goss and Pleasants will be Mike Stokovic and Michael ~unn at guard and Joey Fienney at tackle. The only two returning s tarters on the defensive side will be linebackers Willie Langster and Greg Corker. "Our losses in the secondary and on the defensive line could make us vulnerable to the big play, which will hurt any team" said, Kilpatrick. "We need to get this game under our belts, learn from our mistakes and work together." In Thursday night junior college action Copiah-Lincoln defeated East Mississippi :J3-12 and Jones County rolled over Northwest 33-7. Saturday's other games have Coahoma visiting Southwest, Hinds visitmg Northeast and Pearl River playing host to Holmes. --------- -----

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