1991

McCiella , arriors focus on winning season ByMARTY STAMPER Starsoortswriter

Coleman (5-11, 180) from Louis– ville, Shannon Dotson (6-1, 210) from Brookv.'OOd, Ala., andLamar Blalock (5-11. 180) from Decatur; guard Michael Hathorn (6-1, 235) from Neshoba Central, and tackle Terence Peoples (6-3, 260) from Montevallo, Ala. Kelly completed 5 of 11 passes for 70 yards and two touchdowns as a freshman. Coleman caught13 passes fo r 223 yards and four touchdowns. Dotson had 11 recep– tions for 159 yards and one touch– down in six games after suffering a season-ending injury at Hinds. Coleman and Dotson ranked sec– ond and third on the team in recep– tions a year ago. Peoples was an all-state honor– able mention selection as a freshman. Sophomore Pete Porter (5-10, 170) from Morton returns as the kicker. In 1990, he was 21 of23 in

"Thanks to our kickoff return team. We lost about all them. We have one sophomore (in addition to McClelland) returning on the kickoff team and that's going to take a lot away from it Hopefully I'll get lucky and break a couple." It didn't take McClelland long to notice the difference in the level of play between his Beulah Hub– bard High School days and that of the Mississippi junior college league. "It's a lot different. No. 1. you've got everybody as good or better than you. It's a big change. In this league, everybody on the field is good." McClelland, who also plays in the offensive backfield, has no– ticed a good freshman running back in the ECCC camp. "Jerry Welch is a pretty good running back if he '11 ever get his ankle sttaight" Welch (5-10, 185) played at Neshoba Central and sat outlast year at ECCC. Returning sophomores on the offense are quarterback Wayne Kelly (6-1, 200) from Philadel– phia; wide receivers Kendrick

DECATUR-Willie McClel– land often provided a needed spark for East Cenlral Community College as a kick returner last year. In the 4-6 season of 1990, McClelland returned a punt 86 yards for a touchdown against Holmes and another one 57 yards for a touchdown against Coahoma. He had 121 all-purpose yards in theCoahoma game. "I was pleased effort-wise, but I think we need to put a little more effort this year in order to have a winning season," McClelland said. "If we can get a winning sea– son, I'll be satisfied." As for his individual play in 1990, McClelland said, "I did all right. Some people say they did their best, but I'm not going to say that. I did OK. Maybe this year we'll give it 110 percent and maybe come out on top." McClelland (6-0, 185) credits his return success last season to his blockers, most of whom aren't here anymore.

Neshoba Central, Michael Jack– son (5-8, 160) from Newton County, Ricky Grace (5-8, 150) from Neshoba Central, and Sam John (5-10, 160) from Choctaw Central; and tight end Mac Thompson (6-3, 215) from West Blockton, Ala. In the backfield are running backs Foreman Thompson (5-11, 172) from Carthage and Charles Lyles (5-11, 182) from Forest; and fullbacks Thomas McClelland (6-2, 190) from Newton County, and Thornton Gray (5-10, 228 ) fromLake. Freshmenoffensive linemen are centers Chris Eriksen (6-2, 246) from Thomasville, Ala., John Spi-

extra points and 4 of 6 in the field goal departtnent. Freshmen in the throw-and– c atch positions are quarterbacks Marcus McKinney (5-11, 180) from Birmingham (Ala.) Wood– lawn, Tyrone Collier (6-1, 190 ) f r om Neshoba Cen tra l , Ken McMullan (6-0, 180) from Deca– tur, and John Holladay (6-2, 175) from Graceville, Fla.; wide receiv– ers Daryald Hughes (5-9, 159 ) from Louisv ille, Ray Edwards (5-11, 153) from Neshoba Central, Dewayne Pickens (5-9,170) from Neshoba Centr al, Zaus Carter (5-11, 175) from Noxapater, Keith Dailey (6-3, 209) from Louisville, Oreaka Wells (6-0, 200) from

WillieMcClelland

vey (5-1 0, 172) from Newton County, and Jim Allen (5-10, 232) from Leake Academy; tackles Trurnaine Patrick (6-2, 320) from Newton County and Kendrick Bester (6-5, 325) from Neshoba Central; and guards Kevin Hill (6-0, 233) and Jamie Horne (5-11, 253) from NeshobaCentraL Bester originally signed with Mississippi Valley State.