1996

WEEK 0 F __ '1.;._-...:....;1 I'- ---"9"'*42:..__.._ _ _ _

Warriors use 'Big D' to defeat Holmes 13 - 6 If last Thursda} 's win over Holmes Communit; College is an indica– tton of what to expect on the gridiron from East Central Community College this fall. then Warrior fans can look forward to an exciting season. East Central used a stubborn defense and an effective-when-needed offense to claim a 13-6 victory over the home standing Bulldogs. It seemed only appropriate that the non-division matchup would end with East Central making another key defensive play. On the last play, ~ophomore cornerback Ashanti Webb sure-tackled Bulldog receiver Leon Washington on the EC eight-yard line as time expired, preserving the Warrior victory. Holmes had marched from its 20 to the Warrior 11 in the game's final three minutes, only to once again be denied the Warrior endzone. After a scoreless first period, Warrior fullback Steven Bradford, a Scott Central product, found paydirt on a seven-yard blast early in the second stanza. Shaun Walker of Morton kicked the PAT and gave EC a 7-0 lead. The 76-yard scoring drive was highlighted with key runs by Bradford, running back Mack Pittman and quarterback AI Hunt. The Warriors extended their lead late in the second stanza when free safety Joey Pinkston of Forest intercepted a pass from Bulldog quarterback Gabe Alaniz and dazzled the Warrior faithful with a 55-yard return to the Bulldog endzone. Hunt was stopped short of the goal line on the two-point conversion but EC maintained a 13-0 lead. Walker was not called on the kick the PAT due to an injury he sustained in an earlier kick<,>ff. Holmes got on the scoreboard with just over seven minutes remaining in the contest when Alaniz connected with wide receiver Adrian Stafford on a 3~-yard pass play. Michael Taylor's PAT was no good. The Warriors will be looking for their second win of the '96 campaign this Thursday when the Northeast Mississippi Community College Tigers come to Decatur for another non-division matchup. Kickoff is set for 6:30 p.m. in Warrior Stadium. All ECCC football games are broadcast over the Warrior Sports Network, WSSI-FM (98.3) in Carthage, featuring yeteran sportscaster Mike Goodwin. STATISTICS East Central rushed 47 times for 172 yards and had no yards passing with three attempts. Holmes had 34 rushes for 121 yards and completed 21 of 34 pass~s for 175 yards. Bradford led EC rushers with 56 yards on 17 carries. He scored one touchdown. Running back Mack Pittman rushed 17 times for 40 yards and Derrell Reed of Forest had 32 yards on 12 attempts. Defensively, Kemba Bryant led the attack with II tackles and five assists. Other top defenders were Corey Hamler, eight tackles; Mark Thomas, seven tackles and a fumble recovery; Dejuan Clark, six tackles and two assists; Joey Pinkston, six tackles and an interception return for a touchdown; Ashanti Webb, six tackles; Jimmy Kincaid, five tackles and four assists; and Delvin Rainer, four tackles.

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CARTHAGINU\N___ _ _ NESHOBA DEMOCRAT_ -r/_ _ _ NEWTON RECORD__.;_/__ CLARION-LEDGER._ ____

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