2012

Top-ranked Lions turn Warrior miscues mto romp

By Tony Taoukalas The Meridian Star

DECA11JR- East Mississippi Community College showed why it is the No.1team in the country

Thursday night, as the Uons took down East Central Com– munity College 51-7 at Bailey Stadium. The Uons uffo- cated theWarriors on defeo •forcing the Warriors to turnover the ball four times. ·1 thought our defense played great again," 1£MCC head

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Paula Merrll:t/Tht Meridian $tlr East Central Community College's Keshun Shipp coughs up the football and turns It over to East Mississippi Community College on

coach Buddy Stephen said. 'We had a bit of a lull at first, but that is my fault."

Thursday night ln Decatur. dashed his way past Warrior defenders to make the score 14-0. "I kind of felt that l was going to score," Smith said. "l just stepped out and Quez Oobnson) threw a great ball. After that 1just turned it onand scored." Smith hauled in five catches for 84 yards and two touchdownq as the lions accounted for 339 yards in the air on the night. "That'swhat we do," tephen.; said. "'We bad an excellent opportu· nity to continue to do that as far as tbrowmg the ball. We had an oppor· tunity to throw the ball all night." Turnoverswould continue to

haunt theWarriors after amissed Uon field goal attempt gave ECCC an opportunity get some momentum. However, theWarriors would fumble on the next play on offense to set up an eventual Lion touchdown. EMCCwould bead into the half up 24-0. "We ~hould have been7-7 heading into the half." ECCC head coach Brian Anderson said. "Our player5 acted like they haven't ever practiced before. Simple things like ::.nap exchanges and handoffswe ju-.t didn't do." See Lao"'s on page B3

Things looked promising for Ea~t Central early on, as defensive back Desmond Brown intercepted a ball in the end zone to stop a Lion scoring drive. However. a fumble two play::. later gave the ball back to EMCC at the Warrior 21-yard line. Quarterback Quez Johnson got the scoring started {or the Uons as the 6-foot-1, 225-pound quarterback muscled his way in on a quarter· back "neak from one yard out to make the score 7.0 for EM.CC. Later in the quarterJohnson would lind wide receiverCorey ~ mith for 24 yards and a score, as the speedy receiver juked and