2007

c. pt 3/aJ WEEK OF ::;f. 1

Wednesday, September 5, 2007

9A

--- J o uRNAL 1 'New' ECCC offense grinds out 31-20

The "new" offense worked out just fine for head coach Terry Underwood and his East Central Community Col– lege Warriors who claimed a 31-20 sea– son opening victory over long-time rival East Mississippi Community Col– lege on a soggy Sullivan-Windham field Thursday night in Scooba. Underwood, who ditched the "spread offense" the Warriors used the past few years and returned to a more run-ori– ented attack, was obviously pleased with the results. ''This was a great team effort and I thought we played well in all areas - offense, defense and the kicking game," said Underwood, who is in his tenth year leading the Warrior football pro– gram. "It was a tough, hard-nosed game. East Mississippi has a good foot– ball team and I was very happy with the win." The Warriors amassed 422 yards of total offense - which included 274 yards on the ground. Sophomore Roo– sevelt Ross of Ocala, Fla., and fresh-

man Maurice Langston, a product of Northeast Lauderdale High School in Mepdian, led the rushing attack, and sophomore Lamario Hopson of Meridi– an also had a productive outing as a sub in the final stanza. Ross compiled 100 yards on 14 carries and Langston posted 123 yards on 19 attempts. Hopson added 29 yards on nine carries. "We have three really good tailbacks and we are going to get them the foot– ball as often as possible," Underwood stated. "We wanted to establish the running game early and I thought we did that, thanks to our backs running hard and the excellent blocking from our offensive line." Although the emphasis this year is on the running game, the Warriors revealed an effective passing attack as first-year quarterback Deon Williams, a transfer from Valdosta (Ga.) State and former standout at Tuscaloosa (Ala.) County High School, completed nine of 18 passes for 148 yards and one

touchdown - a 54-yard bomb to sopho more wide receiver Michael Townsen< of Forest. "We can throw the football," Under· \vood added, "as evidenced by the long touchdown pass Deon threw to Townsend and another great pass that Katlan (French) made that set up a score. But our fundamental philosophy is to run the ball first." Underwood was also complimentary of the Warrior defense, which had the unenviable task of trying to stop the state's leading rusher from last year– LaGarrette Blount of Perry, Fla. Blount got most of his 119 yards in the first halL as the Warrior defense basi– cally shut down the Lions' rushing efforts in the second half A key defensive series for East Cen– tral came late in the first half, when the Warriors - while leading 21-7- twice denied East Mississippi the end zone on first-and goal situations. The second threat ended when sophomore cornerback Fred Lyons, a former New-

APPEARED IN:

'NESHOBADEMOCRAT---– NEWTON RECORD-----– MERIDIAN STAR-----– CLARION-LEDGER------ OTHER_________

CARTHAGINIAN------

SCOTT COUNTY TIMES-----– UNION APPEAL _V~----r---­ WINSTON COUNTY JOURNAL ..:¥:1---- SPIRIT OFMORTON-------