2007

9A Wednesday, August 22, 2007 ECCC Warriors

After several years of trying a variation of the "West Coast" offense, East Central Commu– nity College head football coach Terry Underwood said it's time for a change....time to return to the "run first" offense that the Warriors sdc– cessfully used in the late 1990's, when Underwood first juggled duties as offensive coordinator and head coach. Underwood, who begins his tenth year leading the ECCC football program and second stint leading the offense, hopes the "new" offensive attack in 2007 will produce the same results experienced by the 1999 Warriors, who qualified for the state playoffs en route to an 8-3 record. The first test of the "new offense" takes place~ against longtime rival East Mississip– pi Community College on Thursday, August 30. Kickoff is set for 6:30p.m. on the Scoo– ba campus. "We decided it was time to go back to what we have success– fully done in the past - and that's run the ball frrst, then complement the running game with play action passes and a short passing game," said Underwood, who will also coach quarterbacks and run– ning backs. "We have the skill guys to run the offense -which will also feature a lot of option plays - so this type of offense fits our personnel." The Warrior offense will be led by first-year quarterback Deon Williams, a transfer from Valdosta (Ga.) State. Under– wood said Williams, a former standout at Tuscaloosa (Ala.) County High School, "has a tremendous amount of talent" and "knows what it takes to win."

erdale High School product. "Maurice is a strong leader and a great talent," Under– wood said. "I look for big things from him and Roosevelt this year." Returning at wide receiver is Freddie Parham, a 5-11, 180- pound product of St. Clair County High School in Odenville, Ala. Parham, a University of Southern Mississippi signee, played in every game for East Central last year. "He is a great talent and one of our team leaders," Under– wood said of his top receiver. Other top receivers are sophomores Michael Townsend, a 6-2, 200-pound product of Forest High School, and Katlan French, a 5-9, 175- pound former standout at Starkville Academy. "Michael is playing as good as I have ever seen him play. Katlan is also having a great camp. Both are very talented." Underwood also praised sev– eral offensive linemen. "Marquis Harris (6-1, 290) of Meridian is starting at strong guard and James Jenkins (6-2, 245) of Columbus will start at quick guard. Both are really strong players and doing a great job. John Bailey (6-2, 245) of Tuscaloosa has moved to offensive tackle from the fullback and tight end posi– tions and is also having a great preseason camp." Additional playe'ts receiving praise on offense include full– back Marcus Travis (5-7, 200) of Perry Central, tight ends Spencer Spane of Terry, a transfer from North Carolina A&T, Josh Williams of Jackson Lanier., and wide receiver Kendrick May of Tuscaloosa County.