1996

WEEK OF _ _9._-.... .Q,._,S...__- ,..9 ... tp~-.- ___

1996 ECCC FOOT.BALL SCHEDULE

September 5 September 12 September 19 September 26 October S October 12 October 19 October 24 October 31 November 7

Holmes Northeast Northwest ltawamba Pearl River Hinds (IIC) Gulf Coast

Goodman Decatur Senatobia Decatur Poplarville Decatur Perkinston Decatur

7:00 6:30 7:00 6:30 2:30 2:30 3:00 6:30 7:00 6:30

Jones Co-Lin

Wesson Det:atur

Southwest

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Warriors Shock Northwest

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Running back Mack Pittman's four-yard dash around right end on third and goal with 1:41 remaining lifted East Central Community College to a 20-15 win over Northwest Thursday night in Senatobia, spoiling the Rangers' home opener. The Warriors, now ~ under second-year head mentor Willie ''fenny" Coats and owners of a five-game winning streat dating back to the '95 season, defeated Northwest (1-2) for the first time since 1987 when E2 claimed a 17-16decision. East Central, which trailed 6-{) at halftime, took a 14-6lead going into the final stanza following Pittman's five-yard touchdown run and strong safety Xavier Thomas' 12 yard interception returnofa Chris Ryan pass. Pittman's first score climaxed a 28-yani drive, set up by Warrior defender Ashanti Webb's block of a Northwest punt. Morton's ShaunWalker kicked both PATs. Northwest, which posted a 6-{) first quarter margin on Ryan's 1~yani pass to AnghonyRocket– te, regained the lead at 15-14 on Nason Williams' 27-yard field goal with eight minutes remain– ing in the non-division matchup. Earlier in the final stanza tailback O.J. Cooper had scored from four yards out, climaxing a 34 yard march set up by Coopers 37-yar– d punt return. After an exchange of posses– sions and still trailing by one point with just over four minutes left, East Central drove 65 yards in just .five plays for the game– winning score. The key play was

quarterback Jake Kizziah's 54 yard strike to wide receiver Tun Livingston of Carthage whose out-stretched arms hauled in the perfectly thrown spiral on the Northwest eight-yard line. Pitt– man's tally came three plays later. The PAT was unsucressful, as Kizziah's pass fell incomplete. Northwest took the ensuing kickoff and quickly drove to the EC 22, but turned the ball over on downs after Ryan's pass fell incomplete on the fourth and seven with just under a minute remaining. East Central had a total of 312 offensive yards, with 178 coming on the ground and 140 through the air. Kizziah completed nine of 19 passes for all of the 140 yards, while Al Hunt had no compl~ tions on two attempts. Hunt also had one interception. Pittman led EC rushers with 97 yards on 20 carries and had touchdown runs of five and four yards. Other top rushers were Calvin Williams of Walnut Grove, twc;> carries for 28 yards; Hunt, four carries for 22 yards; Derrell Reed of Forest, five attempts for 18 yards; and full– back Steven Bradfoni, a Skott Central product, six rushes for 16

Hardy of Neshoba County, one for 14 yards; Pittman, two for 12 yards; and Horace Nash of Carthage, one for two yards. Defensively, freshman Dejuan Clark led Warrior tacklers with 18 solo stops and three assists. Other top defenders were Kemba Btyant, 10 and four; Joey Pinks– ton of Foresl, eight and five and two interceptions; Kendrick Clancy, eight and one; Mark Tho– mas, seven and one; and Xavier Thomas, six and one and a 12-yard interception return for a touchdown. This Thursday East Central (3-0) and Itawamba(2-1) will meet at 6:30 p.m. on the Decatur campus. The non-division matchup is also "Be Our Guest Night'' as area high school stu– dents will be admitted to the game free of charge. The special visitors will also be recognized during halftime activities and door prizes will be awarded throughout the contest. All Warrior football games are broadcast on WSSI-fM (98.3) in Carthage featuring veteran sportscaster Mike Goodwin.

APPEAR CARTJ NESH 1

yanis. Livingston, a graduate of .:::OUNTY TIMES_ ___ _ Leake Academy, had one of his APPEAL best ni.ghts as a Warrior with five ) N COU_N_TY __ J_O_U_RN-AL receptions for 112 yards. ·--- - As previously mentioned, AN STAR._ _____

NEWl CLARJ

Livingston's 54-yard catch set up the Warriors' game-winning touchdown. Additional recep- tions were made by Undeon