2011

WEEK () c:

Wednesday. Not-·eaber 2. 2811 THE NEwrON CO~Tl:· APPEAL EC closes out 2-7.seasonwith win at SW

Chris Ficklin, who received NJCAA All-American honors as a freshman linebacker last season, pulled double-duty from for the East Central s chool Conu:~mnity College reports WarriOrs Thursday night, scoring three touchdowns and making his usual standout defensive plays in leading the Warriors to a 41-28 thumping of Southwest Mississippi Commun– ity College in the season finale for both teams at John L. Hurst Stadium in Summit. Ficklin, who played running back for the first time since his high school days at Scott Central, had 16 rushes for 103 yards and tallied on runs of one and nine yards during first-half action and provided EC with a game-clinching 8-yard burst with 1:49 left to secure the 13- point victory. The win not only snapped a five-game season skid but also broke a five-game losing streak to the Bears. EC, which had more than its share of turnover s and bad breaks during the 2011 cam– paign, finally put together a complete game in what was described as the "Pride Bowl" to finish at 2-7 overall and 1-5 in the MACJC South Division. Southwest dropped to 3-6 and 1-5. ''I'm proud of this team prob– ably more than any other I've ever coached," said Brian Anderson, who completes his second year as head coach after serving one season on an inter– im basis. "It doesn't seem right to say that because of the overall record. But record isn't always indicative of the team. You must consider intangibles, such as character, heart, work ethic,

and attitude. This group of young men handled adversity like a coach would hope for his team to do. They never quit playing and working to improve in practice. "I believe their characterwas evidenced by their performance the last game against Southwest. With seven starters out with either injury or sus– pended for violation of team rules, we played like Warriors. Our players and their parents kept me through the season." Ficklin, who only stands 5- foot-11 and weighs 185 pounds, was called to offensive duty after running backs Dennis Thames, LaVadius Lyles, and Jaabir Stevens were suspended by Anderson for undisclosed reasons. "I was down to my last run– ning back and turned to Ficklin ... he responded like you would expect an All-American," said Anderson. "He is such a great competitor ... and played like 'Superman' for us! He did just about everything but drive the bus home! " Ficklin, one of the state's top tacklers. had another impres– si\'e night on defense, register– ing five solo stops, three assists, and two quarterback sacks. Freshman quarterback Jesse Blakemore also had another impressive outing for the Warriors. Blakemore completed 23-of-45 passes for 220 yards and two scores - a 5-yard TD toss to Brocl,{Hall and a 61-yard strike to Corey Collier, both dur– ing second period action. The TD pass to Collier put EC ahead for good at 19-14 with just over seven minutes left before half– time. Blakemore also had 18 rush-

ECCC's Jloimie Broomfield (25) returns a punt during the 2011 season. Tbe Warriors closed out a2-7 showing with a 41-28 victory at SouthwestMississippi Community College Thursday in Summit.

ECphoto pair of touchdowns in the final ·tanza Quarterback \rmtmious Cooper tallied on a 5-~ard run and connected with recei\ er Chrb Cooley for a :!b--~ard ... cor– ing pa...... pla~ in the "econd quarter, and Cooper flred a 10- yard strike to .Jerome Stcwnrt followed by Floyd Barnes' 4&– yard pass interception to com– plete the scoring. .Jake Saltal– macchia connected on all four PATs. EC linebacker Darius Wren had six solo stops and defensive tackle Bradley Dorsey had four tackles and four assists.

es for 87 yards. Hall completro 4-of-5 passes for 80 yards until Blakemore returned later in ihe third period. Collier had five catches for 83 yards to lead EC receivers. EC also scored on Jerrell Priester's 50-yard punt return midway in the third stanza . which stret$)bed the Warrior advantage to 34-14. Jacob Carpenter completed the scoring with a 21-yard field goal early in the third period. He connected on 2-of-4 PATs. Southwest scored twice in the second period and added a