1998

Warriors open season at ~. No. 22 Northwest By Rocky Higginbotham The Meridian Star DECATUR - Terry previous 17 years at Northwest. Underwood, who took over for retiring Willie Coats at ECCC, said coaching against Franklin could add some extra butterflies for him.

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Underwood took over for one legend when he accepted the head football coach's job at East Central Community College. Thursday night, he'll face off against another in his first game. East Central travels to peren– nial powerhouse No. 22 Northwest Thursday for a 7 p.m. contest in Senatobia against the Rangers, who are coached by Bobby Franklin. 1::' nldi-n who haR two credit, has amassed ~ incredi– ble 144-41-6 record during his • arr1ors .li11Ued from page 1B BCCC returns just seven >phomores who saw significant clwn last year, but the WaiTiors have assembled anoth– er· ta lented squad. Still, lTl1derwood says playing Northw('st as a first game is no l'eward. "It doesn't get any tougher t.linn playing NorthweRl nl Northwest eRpecinlly with nfl young a l1:a m as wn huve ," IIlldi'I'Wf•od s aid . ''I know IIH•\''11 I· ~ 1~oml 1111d I hey' II hn II hiH d;ul 11111 Wt• llt'l!d lo pluy 11 ('('(' hn H k11m~ kt:•d ull 1Wt11ll ·~uc h ol ' I ho lust t.wo 1\ncl del! plll' 11 l:o1nhi1Wd n•c<•lll liu l ho Wnn·ion; dur– hnt spn n, l~e~th winH were 1du• od upsds. Wt>'ve IH•t:n uhl<' to ht•at the&<.• guys the laRt two years, and that's what we've been sell– ng tu our players," Underwood

"I hadn't really thought about it much until thi s week," Underwood said. "Coach Franklin is sort of an icon in our league. He's won a couple of national championships. He's a great coach and.a great guy. "But on the other hand, it's players vs. players," Underwood said. "The coaches obviously have something t o do with it•. hnt t.he players still determine ·•'-on1e." See Warriors, Page 48 said . "They've got a great pro– gram and a great tradition . But we'll try to slick close until late in the ball game, then maybe we can pull it out like we have the last hvo years." East Centra] and Underwood are still uncertain about who will guide t he Warriors from the quarterback position. Freshman Reggie Flugence of Lafnyetle, Ala. appea rs to hove t lw mol'l talent. but An phonwl't~R .1o 'l h ll :tlt' IH'I' of Wlll'!l tlll Ac:ud c•uty nnd M.nk l•'lo'lltiug cd ' LlJII I . 'l'ni lloritli ltnvln McKt•nzin of' l·'llli•lntlnn , l~"!ll wdl l{d lltt• ii l l!I'L lHn!lt, whll

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George Clark/The Meridian SEASON-OPENt;.h -· 1-u~~ v~nuat L-ommuntty College (black jerseys) open up Thursday at Northwest Mississippi.

ly "' u pr<'~<.>ason poll, will look Lo fotmer South Panola standout Kevin JoncR to lead the offense. As a freshman in 1997, Jones ran for 1,188 yards. The Northwest Mississip pi Rangers u!Ro return three offen– sive linemen who started last year, and they look solid on defense as well.

former luil hnck Andy l-lagm1<\ o Sebastopol haH hN•II nwwd to n wide receiver'H :-;put, nll hough he will still likely tut.ni~in Lhe backfield. Sop.homore ''ornerback Wesley Boyd heads up the Warrior defense. Northwest. which will enter I he ~mne ranked 22nd national-

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