East Mississippi Community College football coach Buddy Stephens had a dream when he took over the head coaching job of the Lions.
Granted, he didn’t see this dream playing out in Yuma, Ariz.
However, that is where it all went down Saturday as the second-ranked Lions won the school’s first football national championship.
EMCC dominated from the start and held on late to post a 55-47 victory against No. 1 Arizona Western College in the El Toro Bowl played before a crowd of 5,500 at Veterans Memorial Stadium.
“This is the top, this is the best,” Stephens said. “I can’t express in words how proud I am of this group of players.
“This group of young men took me on an amazing run. Being national champions at this time with this team is a dream come true.”
The Lions are all but guaranteed the top spot when the final NJCAA Top 20 for this season is released Monday. Being No. 1 in the final poll is the equivalent of being the NJCAA national
champion.
EMCC (12-0) set a school record for victories, while winning a bowl game for the second time in Stephens’ four seasons as coach. “Words can not express what this is like,” EMCC sophomore wide receiver Lacoltan Bester said. “Forever more, we are No. 1. In the history books, we will always be No. 1.
“What a run.”
EMCC quarterback Bo Wallace threw for seven touchdowns for the third time this season. Wallace shattered numerous NJCAA passing records, including touchdown passes in a season. The freshman transfer from Arkansas State finishes the year with 53 TD passes.
As has been this team’s trademark all year, the Lions were focused from the opening kickoff.
EMCC took the game’s first possession and marched 80 yards for a touchdown.
Wallace hit Rodney Davis with a 52-yard scoring strike.
After forcing a stop by the Matadors (11-1), the EMCC offense took little time scoring again.
This time, Wallace hit Bester on a 7-yard touchdown pass.
Wallace was well on his way to a monster afternoon. His final totals included a 30-of-44 ledger for 452 yards and seven touchdowns, with one interception.
“This what you dream about as a kid, a chance to win championships,” said Wallace, who also set new standards for passing yards and total offense earlier this season.
“We worked hard from day one with this being our goal. Once we got some wins under our belt, this team just grew with more and more confidence.”
The aerial show continued in the second quarter as Wallace hit Bester for a 23-yard touchdown and after a fumble recovery found Jeremy Reed on a 27-yard hookup.
By this time, the home crowd was indeed worried as the Lions had jumped to a 27-0 advantage.
“We really hit them early,” Stephens said. “We have been able to start strong all year. I knew our kids would be ready.
“When we have a fast start, it really puts the other team on its heels.”
The Matadors finally found their offensive niche late in the first half.
Damien Williams, the nation’s leading rusher, got the Matadors on the board as he broke two tackles and took off on a 53-yard scamper.
Wallace found Davis on a 24-yard scoring play to put the Lions up 34-13 at the break.
EMCC then appeared to have the house in order when Wallace hit JJ Harbin on a 29-yard scoring strike to start the second half.
“We thought they might have one more run in them,” Bester said. “That is why it was important that we kept doing our thing on offense.”
Indeed, the Matadors finished with a flurry. The nation’s most prolific offense received another rushing score from Williams and two touchdown tosses from Cameron Coffman to close out the third quarter.
Still, EMCC was well on its way to victory until a hairy final two minutes.
Coffman hit Williams for two 15-yard scoring strikes in the fourth quarter.
The second score made it a one possession game with 3:39 left.
AWC forced the punt and got the ball back just shy of midfield.
Za’Darius Smith then closed the door with a monster sack on third down, before Coffman threw incomplete on fourth down.
Scott was sports editor for The Dispatch.
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