2003

son. James Mason and Chris Harris, a graduate assistant, were members of Pouncey's staff during Kil– lens' freshman year. Killens said the highlight of his career at East Cen– tral was the upset win over the Jones Bobcats who came to Warrior Stadium in 1978 sporting a 9-0 record. Sportswriter Austin Bish– op of The Meridian Star, began his account of the stunning victory as follows: "We interrupt this pro– gram to bring you this important message. World War ill has broken out, the dollar is now worth only 17 cents and Jones Junior Col· lege has lost a football game. The last one is hard to believe, but it is the only one that is true. "The East Central Juruor College Warriors pulled off what many thought was .mpossible. They defeated :..:te third-ranked BobcatS 21-16 at Warrior Stadmrn he!-!> Sa:·!"d.ay ~:. ECJC

ing the Bobcats was not a complete surprise to his teammates and coaches. "We probably had the best week of practice eyer prior to the Jones game. We were mentally and physi– cally ready to pla~: and real– ly wanted to win the game not only because the Bob– cats were undefeated and nationally ranked. but also because Coach Pouncey played football at Jones. It was obviously a big game for him, too, " Killens recalled. Killens and the Warriors posted a 4-6 mark in 1979, which was quite an accom– plishment, especially con– sidering what transpired early in the season. "For some reason Coach ~ason left after the third game our freshman season. The job that Coach Pouncey did following Coach .lason's departure is still amazing to me, and Chris Harris did a greatjob of fill– in'! in as aSsistant coacll.. T'iiey really did a good job

Killens From Page lA

includes 44 of the College's standout athletes. At 6-3, 200 pounds, Killens was considered one of the top quarterbacks in the state following his high school career and was recruited by several col– leges, according to then head coach Ken Pouncey. Coach Pouncey, who led the Warriors from 1967-81, said Killens "was one of the best quarterbacks we've ever had at East Central" He added, "Mark had good speed, a strong arm, and was a great leader. He was also a very tough indi– vidual It was a joy to coach him.'' David Bradberry served as Potmcev's assistant dur– - ~ sophomore u"

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~-~~· ·~-~-~ and recei\·er Alexander whl~..;h Y.a.s probably a b12 Ealy put on an aerial circus reason we had so much sue– that was close to unbeliev- cess the following year,·· able. Killens said. "Killens ran the ball in Killens regards his two clutch situations with such years at East Central as grace it would have made "the best two years of my Roger Staubach drool." football career." He further Killens also had success commented, "The friends in the passing game, as he and relationships that I connected with Ealy on made at EC are still very touchdown passes of three strong till this day. Rickey and 58 yards, with the latter Harrison, who was my score being the game roommate during my fresh– clincher. According to Bish- man year, and Chris Harris, op,s article, "Ealy caught who served as an assistant the pass on the Bobcat 40, coach the same year, contin– shook a would-be tackler ue to be some of my closest and raced down the side- friends." lines for the eventual win- In addition to playing ning score," which came football, Killens was a mem– with just over 11 minutes ber of the Warri5r baseball left in the contest. team his freshman season. Killens also ran for a two- David Bradberry served as point conversion following head coach. Killens contin– Wlllie Hannah's three-yard ued his athletic career at run in the flrst quarter, cap· Delta State University, ping an 11-play, 80-yard where he was a two-year let- drive. terman. Following the game, Kil- Killens is general manag- lens said the celebration er of Killens Chevrolet, "continued for a long time!" Oldsmobile and Pontiac, However, he noted, defeat- Inc. in Newton.