2007

2B, The Neshoba Democrat, Philadelphia, Miss., September 12, 2007

Warriors take advantage of Trojan miscues in 35-7 defeat

ECCC

whose Warriors are 2-0 for the first time since iooo. said he was proud of his team for overcoming a sluggish start and capitalizing on the Delta misfortunes. ''We were very opportunistic is the best way to describe our play against Delta," Underwood said. "We weren't mentally ready as we were the first week, for w~atever rea– son ...we were flat, sluggish. Delta could have easily been up two or three touchdowns in the first half but tAeir turoovers and our defense kept us in the gam~. Then our offense got clicking about eight minutes before the half and we played much better." Underwood called Lewis' score "the biggest play of the game." "It deflated their spirits and lifted ours.'' Underwood remarked of the bizarre play, ··and possibly repre ent– ed a 14-point swing.'' The Trojans jt;tmped out to a 7-0 lead when running back Justus Anderson of Greenwood found pay dirt on a four-yard scamper, capping an 88-yard. seven play drive as the first quarter ended. Chris Reifers added the PAT. Ross registered his ftrst tally with 3: 19 remaining in the ftrst half, fol– lowing the Warriors' 70-yard march

in just live plays. Derek Crenshaw of Neshoba Central added the PAT. Highlights of the game-tying score included quarterback Deon Williams' 18-yard scramble, which gave EC possession on the Delta 33. Williams is a transfer from Valdosta (Ga.) State and a former standout at Tuscaloosa County. Ross scored again on a two-yard plunge with just 20 seconds remain– ing before halftime, capping a 33- yard, six-play drive set up when defensive lineman Ken Whitfield of Louisville recovered aTrojan fumble. The PAT was added by Beau Hannah of Morton. Lewis' fumble recovery and run as the half ended put the Warriors com– fortably ahead by a 21-7 margin fol– lowing Hannah's PAT, which was made from 35 yards out - the result of an "excessive celebration'' penalty. EC scored twice in the third stan– za, the first coming on Maurice Langston's two-yard leap into the end zone w1th II :09 remaining. Hannah added the PAT. The final tally result– ed from Ross' 13-yard jaunt near the end of the period. Crenshaw booted the PAT. Langston's score capped a 79- yard, six-play drive highlighted by the Northeast Lauderdale product's 34-yard reception from Williams to the Delta 46, and Ro s' 36-yard scamper. g1vmg EC possession at the Delta five-yard line. Ross· tnfro score~d,_c_a_p-ped a 21- )'ard, four-play drive set up when linebacker Jamar Lawrence of Tuscaloosa County recovered a Tro- jan fumble dunng a punt return.

Sophomore running back Roo– sevelt Ross scored three touchdowns and freshman defensive end Josh Lewis returned a fumble 82 yards for a score to lead East Central Commu– nity College to a 35-7 thrashing of Mississippi Delta Community Col– lege Thursday night at Jim Randall StadiuminMoorhead. The Warriors improved to 2-0 fol– lowing the non-division battle while Delta dropped to 0-2. The Trojans had seven turoovers. three of which resulted in EC touchdowns. Lewis' long gallop to the end zone represented Delta's most cost!)' mis– cue and came when the Trojans were in position for a possible game-tying score in the final moments of first– half action. Trojan quarterback Jonathan Tay– lor, a 6-3, 2S3-pound freshman from Cleveland, had ju~t completed a 28- yard scramble to the Warrior IS-yard– line when he lost possession of the ball as he headed out of bounds. Lewis, a 6-4, 240-pound product of Tuscaloosa (Ala.) County High School, scooped up the loose pigskin and rambled 82 yards for the score, escorted by several Warrior team– mates. ECCC coach Terry Underwood,

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two catches for 26 yards; Langston. one for 35 yards; and Lamarcus Clay· ton of Thomastown, one for 18 yards. EC compiled IS first downs, th< same as Delta. The Trojans had 2Ti yards rushing and I 42 passing for ~ 419 total. The Warrior kicking game hac another solid performance with Han· nab and Crenshaw splitting duties Both were perfect on their PATs, Han nah sent several kickoffs into the enc zone (including one effort from the 20-yard-line) and Crenshaw averagec almost.36 yards per punt. The Warrior defense was led b~ Lawrence who bad lS tackles, a fum ble recovery and a quarterback ack Linebacker David Brackett o Philadelphia had 12 tackles and fr~ safety Ray Frierson, a product ofHill crest High School in Tuscaloosa, hac 10 tackles and one fumble recovery. Also recording fumble recoverie were cornerback Fredrick Lyons o Newton County, Lewis and Whitliell (two). Strong safety Brian Rizzi of S~ Augustine, Fla., had an intcrceptiol and linebacker Vonzell Jackson o Aliceville, Ala.. was credited With 1 blocked field goal.

I East Centr:\1 had 269 yards rush- IOCRAT ..~.' - ---- ing and 103 passing for a.372 total. ) !- Massey completed one of two . Ross. was the .lead~ng ground attempts for 18 yards. He also rushed gamer w1th IS cames for 122 yards ~ six times for 38 yards. ~nd three scores. Langston rushed 1I Top receivers were Freddie tlmes f?r? I yards and score~ once. 3 Parham, a product of St. Clair High W1!llams completed s1x of 15 School in Margaret, Ala., who had passes for 85 yards and had one mter- ception. - See ECCC, page 38

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