2003

WEEKOF ~J~x~et~6 _________

Warriors meet high-powered foe By Marty Stamper EMG sports ass•stant ~ As much as I hate to admit it, our

the state in receiving with 173 yards and four touchdowns on six receptions. ln the season opener with Northeast, Brackins had five catches for 152 yards and three touchdowns. ECCC's Titus Ryan has 11 catches for 142 yards. "We have not had a problem moving the ball," Underwood said. "Our problem has been putting it in the end zone. We have scored some, but we haven't scored as much as we ought to. We've got to learn to convert and get points out of our moving the ball." Pearl River's Larry Kendrick leads the state with four interceptions. ECCC's Sed Eichelberger and Chunkgil Page both have 22 tackles. "I don't think we're fighting any of that battle this week," Underwood said of trying to convince his team how good Pearl River is...All we've got to do is watch the film. • MPearl Ri\·er has probably as much or more talent than I've ever seen coming out of Poplarville and I coached there at one time. In '92, coach (Willie) Coats and I had a team that went unde– feated and this bunch is just multi-tal– ented. They've got players all over the field. "We're going to have to play as good as we can play to have an opportunity. "I think our defense will play much bt.·tter, but understand we're playing one ot the top two offenses in the state. They're a fast-break offense. They look to score every play. That's their attitude and our defense has a huge challenge. "Our best defense could be a very sound run offense. We need to control the ball and limit their snaps."

DECATUR - East Central Commu– nity College saw its chance for a 2-0 start slip away with a 17-13 loss at Northeast Mississippi last Thursday. The Warriors return to Decatur for their home opener Thursday at 6:30 p.m. against high-powered Pearl River. The teams are ranked first and second in the state in total offense. Pearl River opened with a 43-3 rout of Northeast, a score that the Warriors couldn't get out of their minds last week. "As much as I hate to admit it, our team was as far away mentally into the

team was as far away mentally into the game as I've ever seen as a coach. No. 1, I take full responsibility being the head coach, but No. 2} I've talked to our team about them taking their part in the responsibility. ecce head coach Terry Underwood offense, which is the same thing we're going to see Thursday." ECCC leads the MACJC in total yards, averaging 370.5, while Pearl River is second at 360.5. They get tho~e totals in opposite manners, however, as ECCC picks up 244.5 yards on the ground, while Pearl River gets 198 through the air. The Wildcats are tied for first in the stat~ in turnover margin at plus-four. ECCC is minus-one. Leading the Warriors' ground game are Germaine Smith with 86 yard~ per game and Kenshay llunter with S7. Curtis Hayes averages 102 yards rushing for Pearl River. He ran for 11·+ on 15 carries in a 17-7 vidory over Northwest Mississippi last week. Anthony Johnson has completed 14- of-33 passes for 333 yards for the Wild– cats. ECCC's Terrell Robinson is 20-of· 41 for 247 yards. Pearl River's Larry Brackins leads

game as I've ever had as a coach," said ECCC head coach Terry Under– wood. MNo. 1, I take full responsibility being the head coach. but No. 2, I've talked to our team about them

taking their part of the responsibility. "I felt like we fought it all week. 1t wasn't necessarily complacency or over- - confidence, just not a respect for your opponent and I don't care who you're playing in this lt.·ague, there's no one who can't beat you. "We were fortuna!<' to even be in the game at halftime down 10-7. We came out in the second half and played much better and put ourself in position to still win even though we didn't play well. "Defensivdy, we did not play well at all. We played a wide-open style of

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