When Bo Wallace left Arkansas State University and transferred to East Mississippi Community College, he wanted to play in meaningful games.
Wallace will get another chance to do just that in only his sixth game as a Lion at 3 p.m. Saturday at Tiger Stadium in Booneville when No. 3 EMCC takes on No. 12 Northeast Mississippi C.C. in a battle for the MACJC North Division lead. Each team is 5-0 and 3-0 in the North.
A local broadcast can be heard on WFCA (107.9 FM).
“We have eight or nine goals on offense going into every game,” said Wallace, a 6-foot-5, 210-pound freshman. “Even though we have put up a lot of numbers, we haven’t had a game yet where we hit all of our goals. Saturday is such a big day. This would be a good time to have a complete game.”
EMCC is coming off back-to-back wins at new Sullivan-Windham Field against Itawamba C.C. (48-7) and Coahoma C.C. (56-6).
“Even though the game was 56-6, I would like to have seen us execute better in some situations,” EMCC coach Buddy Stephens said about his team’s win last week. “We had a too many busted plays and too many turnovers. The penalties and minor mistakes will get you beat against a quality opponent such as Northeast.”
Northeast C.C. has made a surprise run to the North Division lead. It will be riding high thanks to a 34-28 victory at Northwest last week. The Tigers forced seven turnovers, including six interceptions, and lead the state with 13.
While EMCC racks up pinball machine type points, offensive shootouts haven’t been the norm in Booneville. Northeast C.C.’s other North Division wins were against Mississippi Delta C.C. (16-3) and Holmes C.C. (21-0).
“This is a very big game for them,” Stephens said. “They are bringing back players from like the last 100 years. It is Homecoming at Northeast. Both teams are playing for the North Division championship. The stakes are really, really big in this game.”
In the seven-team division, each team plays six division games, with the top two teams making the state playoffs. The winner of Saturday’s game could clinch a playoff berth based on other MACJC results. The loser also will be in good shape, but it will need to win one of its final two games to earn a playoff nod.
The winner of Saturday’s game will need to win one of its final two games to clinch the North Division title. Should it win in the first round, the North Division champion will play host to the state championship game. Thanks to its No. 3 national ranking, EMCC also could also be in a position to vie for one of junior college football’s three national championships.
The Mississippi state champion will serve as the host for the Mississippi Bowl on Dec. 4 in Biloxi.
“We have had a couple of extra days to prepare,” Wallace said. “We need to put together a complete game. The way our offense works, if you take something away from us, we are going to beat you with something else.
“Northeast will present the best defense we have faced this year. We have to limit our mistakes and make sure we are ready to play our best game.”
EMCC leads the state in total offense (522.4 yards per game), is second in passing offense (369.6 yards), and is sixth in rushing offense (156.8 yards per game). Northeast is 13th in total offense (262.5 yards), ninth in passing offense (136.6 yards), and ninth in rushing offense (126 yards).
EMCC is 10th in the state in total defense (334.2 yards), seventh in passing defense (166.2), and 13th in rushing defense (168 yards). Northeast is third in total defense (256.2 yards), sixth in passing defense (151.8 yards), and fourth in rushing defense (104.4 yards).
Wallace is second in the state in passing. He is 143 of 210 for 1,807 yards and 17 touchdowns.
Northeast has thrown for 559 yards and 11 touchdowns.
EMCC freshman Rodriguez Moore is fourth in the state in rushing. He has 74 rushes for 477 yards and three touchdowns. Sophomore Lacoltan Bester is fifth in the state in receiving (28 catches, 412 yards, five touchdowns).
In the rout of Coahoma, Wallace was 35 of 50 for 401 yards and seven touchdowns. Twelve Lions had at least one reception.
Despite the gaudy numbers, EMCC players and coaches are still looking for the perfect game.
“To beat Northeast, we will have to be solid in all three phases of the game,” Stephens said. “We will have to stop the run and play some really great defense. We will have to play very well in all three phases. I like this team. We are really growing and getting better.
“Saturday is a huge challenge. We are looking forward to it.”
Stephens has a 19-2 division record in his first three seasons at EMCC. One of the losses came against Northeast last season in Scooba in a 49-42 defeat.
Scott was sports editor for The Dispatch.
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