2009

East Central running back Dontice Sanders (19) rambles for good yardage against Pearl River Thursday night. ECCC lost 30-27 in overtime to finish with a 2-7 record. The Warriors were last in the MACJC South Division at 0-6. ·

ECCCphoto za. EC had driven from its 32 to the Wildcat 12, when the march stalled. Pearl River later stretched its lead to 24-13 on its next possession on Jones' 33-yard scoring pass to Ratliff early in the fourth period. The 49- yard drive was aided by a personal foul against the Warriors, who ended the night with over 100 yards in penalties. EC responded to the Pearl River score by marching from its 49 to the Pearl River 4, but had to settle on a 22-yard field goal by Mangum to cut the deficit at 24-16. The Wildcats took the ensuing kickoff and drove from their 40 to the EC 3. But the Warrior defense stiffened and forced the Wildcats to also settle for a short field goal - a 22-yarder by Bradley with 3:37 left, which gave the visitors a 27- 16 advantage. EC scored the next 11 points and sent the game into overtime.

passes for 386 yards and two scores. Three of his targets had over I00 yards in receptions Johnson (seven for 109), Jeremy Harvey (six for 100), and Antonio Hughes (three for 103). Taylor's first touchdown pass -a 13-yarder to Harvey early in second period action- gave EC an early 7- 0 lead and capped an J 1-play, 74- yard drive. Mangum made the PAT. The Warriors appeared to be on their way to a two-touchdown advan– tage just before halftime, but Wildcat linebacker Regg1e Bailey of Picayune scooped up a fumble by EC running back Dontice Sanders and raced 92 yards to pay dirt with I:03 left Bradley's first of three PATs tied the score at 7-7. Sanders had one of his best nights rushmg and finished with II 0 yards on 18 carries. EC had begun the drive from its 20 after receiving possession follow– ing C.J. Estelle's interception of a

Wildcat pass in the end zone with 5:16 left before the break. The Warriors regained the lead at 10-7 early in third period on Mangum's 23-yard field goal. EC bad taken possession on its 20 and reached the Pearl River 2, but could get no closer and settled for the three-pointer. Pearl River answered with Bradley's 27-yard field goal with 6:41 left in the third stanza, which deadlocked the score again at 10-10. The Wildcats took their first lead a couple of minutes later on a 15- yard touchdown strike from quarter– back Emil Jones to receiver Desmond Ratliff. The tally capped a short 26-yard march set up when Taylor's pass was tipped and picked off by linebacker Casey Smith. EC cut into the Wildcat lead on its next possession when Mangum split the uprights on a 32-yard field goal with nine seconds left in the third stan- •