2016 Combined

• EG:.C:·C: Landing High School in McDonough, Ga., and Otis Cross Jr. of Kemper County High School. Returning on the

from 16

year," Karcher said. "If we can start out 2-0 going on the road to Pearl River I think that'll be the jump start we need." "Slowly but surely we are growing into the football program we want to be," Karcher added. "We aren't the top in this league, but our goal as coaches is whoever we sign, we want them to be as good as the guys we have on the team, or better." There is one addi tion to Karcher's coaching staff for the 2016 season. Jonesboro, Ga., native Garrett Liberty is serving as· assistant coach of running backs after joining the staff

Community College at 6:30 p.m.; Thursday, Sept. 22, against Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College at 6:30 p.m.; Thursday, Oct. 6, against Jones County Junior College at 6:30 p.m.; and Saturday, Oct. 15, against Hinds Community College in the annual Homecoming game. All _home games are on the synthetic turf

of Bailey Stadium in Decatur. The Warriors will travel to Pearl River Community College on Sept. 15, Copiah-Lincoln Community College on Sept. 29, Northwest Mississippi Community College on Oct. 20, and Southwest Mississippi Community College on Oct. 29.

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offensive side of the ball will be Lucas Orchard, a 6-1, 295 pound offensive line man out of Vancleave High School, who will switch to center and will be a key ingredi ent for the team Karcher says. Running backs Mikell Daniels from Forest High School, who rushed for 102 yards in 2015, and Donterrius Poe of Philadelphia High School both return to the backfield. Karcher believes KARCHER the kicking game will have to be consistent across the board for the Warriors to be successful this season. "Aaron Garrett (Meridian High School) kicked well for us in punting and on kick off, but we have to make sure we are consistent," Karcher said. The bar is set high for the Warriors in 2016 after the success of last sea son, and in order for the East Central football program to continue to improve things will have to go well early, according to Karcher. "Last year we won our first two games at home and we have two home games to start the season again this

this month.

Returning coaches include Scott Brock, defensive coordinator and cor nerbacks coach; Mickey Mays, defen sive line, special teams coordinator and run game coordinator; Charles Jones, safeties and falcons coach; Dennis Alexander, offensive line coach; Tylan Martin, wide receivers coach; and Derek Welch, linebackers coach. East Central will play five home games: Thursday, Sept. 1, against Holmes at 6:30 p.m.; Thursday, Sept. 8, against Northeast Mississippi

East Central Community College quarterback Dominic Marino drops back for· a pass dur

ing a recent practice in Decatur. ECCC opens the season on Sept. 1 against Holmes. q, U J:.. UJ !11:: ""