1994

HEEK OF

ECCC is 'much improved' When East Central Community

elude Brady Moody, a 6'1'', 237- pound sophomore from Neshoba Central, Charles Bester, a 6'1 ", 210 sophomore from Tuscaloosa, and freshmen Antonio Sheppard (6'3", 225) of Brandenton, Florida and William Mayes (6'3", 240) of Birm– ingham. Bridgman said the kicking gam" will be in "great shape" with a freshmen trio from Louisville han– dling responsibilities. Punting will be Lee Wylie (5'11", 174) With Pey– ton ,Weems (5'8", 140) hand ling kickoffs, field goals and extra points. Making sure his former high school teammates receive a good snap is Chuck Dunlap (6'2", 190) who will handle center responsibilities dur– ing punting and kicking situations. Bridgman sai d the coaching staff and players are ready to begin the '94 season:, and eagerly antici– pate Thursday's game with Holmes. Bridgman staff includes assis– tant coaches Tommy Spillman and Kelvin Lyon, and graduate assistant Ben Kitchings, Derek Evans and Brian Spillman.

from Bristol, Aorida. Bridgman said Black ·nac:. gotten even stronger over the summer and will be a key factor L, determining the success of Ea!'t Central'~ runmng game. At :he q-..xanerback spot, Bridg– man said there is currently a three– way battle underway between sophomore Omeri Green (6'1 ", 190) of Atlanta Georgia, and freshmen Bobb\· Breen (6, 173) of Morton. - "Each has outstanding ability and all three will definitely see plenty of action. We do not yet know who will start Thursday abainst Holmes," Bridgman said. ''We have really been pleased with this year's team, especially the lead– ership provided by our sophomores, and the over– al/ceam spirit has been very encouraging." --Coach Bridgman Although McGee is considered the top running back, Bridgman said several freshmen have also been effective running the ball, in– cluding Tony Odom (6'3", 253) and Derrell Reed (5'10", 202) including \ Tony Odom (6', 230) of Tuscaloosa. At wide receiver, juan Draine, a 5'9, 166-pound speedster from Mobile, is the team's leading pass catcher and "has the potential to make the big play." Defensively, the Warriors have "good size" up front, led by defen– sive linemen Stacey Whitehead (6'5", 299) of New Bern, North Carolina, and linebacker Harold Roberts (5'11", 263) of Neshoba Central. Other top linebackers ~t:t-

College begins gridiron competition against Holmes Community Col– lege this Thursday, fans will witness a Warrior squad that is 'bigger, more physical" and "much more de– termined" to win than in years past, according to head coach Reese Bridgman. He also expects the run– ning game to be "much improved." Bridgman, now in his third year at the Warrior helm, said East Cen– tral will be "very competitive" this season, beginning with the visiting Bulldogs in a 6:30 kickoff at Warrior Stadium. "We have really been pleased with this year's team, especially the l• dership provided by our sopho– mores, and the overall team spirit has been very encouraging. This group of players is definitely de– termined to make 1994 a successful season," Bridgman said. This year's squad has 24 return– ing lettermen and includes several top players being touted by senior colleges and universities. One of the more highly recruited returnees is Eddie Hunt, a 6'2", 202- pound cornerback from Louisville. Bridgman said he expects Hunt, a second team All-State selection last year, to have another excellent sea– son. With the addition of freshman defensive back Jamie Day (6'2", 202) of Neshoba Central. Bridgman said the Warrior secondary will be one of the team's strongest areas. Another top returnee is full back james McGee, a 6-foot, 238-pound fullback from Carnesville, Georgia, who is also "an excellent blocker." And when McGee and the other Warrior running backs need a path cleared to the endzone, they'll probably find the space they need behind blocks made by Marion Black, a 6'5", 318-pound lineman

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