SCOOBA — The East Mississippi Community College football team isn’t necessarily all pass all the time.
No. 3 EMCC proved Saturday it can run the football, too.
Behind the strong running of freshman back Rodriguez Moore, North Division champion EMCC found a much-needed spark in the second half to run away from Hinds Community College 55-24 in a MACJC semifinal playoff game at Sullivan-Windham Stadium.
With the victory, EMCC (10-0) will play host to host No. 6 Mississippi Gulf Coast C.C. (9-1) at 2 p.m. Saturday for the MACJC state championship. That contest is a rematch of the 2009 state championship, which EMCC won 75-71 in Scooba.
In the other semifinal Saturday, South Division champion Gulf Coast defeated North Division runner-up Northeast Mississippi C.C. 20-17 in overtime in Perkinston. Back in the postseason for the first time since 2004, South Division runner-up No. 14 Hinds finishes the year at 7-3.
“I knew running the football was going to be a big part of our game plan today,” said Moore, a native of Bastrop, La. “I knew it was my job to step up and be a leader today. Now, we have one more game to go to be champions.”
Moore had to be salivating at another chance to run against Hinds. On Sept. 8, Moore ran for 202 yards in a 20-17 victory in Raymond. In the rematch, Moore ran 20 times for 131 yards.
Moore’s fourth straight 100-yard rushing game, fifth overall, pushed him over the 1,000-yard mark for the season. The running game and the blocking by the offensive line allowed EMCC’s passing game to kick it into high gear in the second half.
EMCC led 27-24 at halftime after a wild first 30 minutes. In the final half, the Lions defense slammed the door while quarterback Bo Wallace threw the final four of his seven touchdown passes.
Wallace now has 42 touchdowns, and has thrown seven touchdowns in a game three times this season. On Saturday, the Arkansas State transfer was 36 of 56 for 360 yards.
“I thought our kids played really well this afternoon,” EMCC coach Buddy Stephens said. “In the first half, we did a good job of holding serve. In the second half, we wore them down and took advantage of some missed assignments. Overall, it was a good effort. We came out, fired up, and did what we needed to do to get the win.”
The teams combined for 600 yards in the opening half.
After neither team struck in the first of four possessions, the Eagles broke through first. A short punt set Hinds up for a 43-yard scoring drive. Jeremy Palmer ripped off a 40-yard run, prior to a 1-yard scoring run from Deon Anthony.
EMCC answered with an 80-yard drive. Antoinne Adkins capped the drive with a 1-yard touchdown run to tie the game at 7 after one quarter.
The teams traded scores on six straight possessions in the second quarter. Palmer scored on a 4-yard run before EMCC got a 23-yard touchdown pass from Wallace to Jeremy Reed. Hinds’ Anthony hit Trevor Chatman on a 33-yard touchdown pass. EMCC came right back, with Wallace hitting Lacoltan Bester on a 4-yard scoring strike. The conversion failed and Hinds still led 21-20.
The defensive momentum then shifted as the Lions held the Eagles to a 45-yard field goal by Kyle Williams. EMCC then executed the final two minutes of the half with a 67-yard, eight-play scoring drive. Wallace hit Hamp Glover for the first of his two touchdowns. That 21-yard hookup gave the hosts the lead for good at 27-24 in the final minute of the first half.
“In this league you win one game and you are in the state championship, so this feels really good,” Glover said. “Everybody in the playoffs is good. We are on a roll right now. (The championship game) will be a good game, but we feel like we will beat anybody.”
After allowing 296 yards in the first half, EMCC allowed 31 yards in the final half. Denico Autry led the shutdown unit, and Justin Cox aided the cause with a spectacular catch on an interception, EMCC’s only takeaway.
Wallace led EMCC on an 80-yard drive to start the second half. That march was capped by Wallace hitting Rodney Davis on an 11-yard score. A 4-yard touchdown reception by Glover ran the lead to 41-24 minutes later.
Wallace hit six receivers for touchdowns. In the fourth quarter, JJ Habin caught a 2-yard scoring strike, while Termarcus Conner had an 8-yard scoring catch.
“Watching our offense click has to be fun,” Moore said. “We are playing with tons of confidence. When our defense brings the A game and the offense does its part, the other team is in trouble.”
EMCC has one more piece of unfinished business. It can be resolved Saturday when Gulf Coast comes to town. In the regular season opener, EMCC won 34-30. However, Gulf Coast committed six turnovers.
“As long as we take care of ourselves, we will be OK,” Stephens said. “That is the bottom line.”
Scott was sports editor for The Dispatch.
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