CLARKSDALE — When East Mississippi Community College football coach Buddy Stephen saw his 2012 schedule for the first time, the fifth-year coach knew the final four games of the season could be the team’s biggest challenge.
“We wanted to be 5-0 going into the month of October,” Stephens said. “We have pushed our kids so hard since the beginning of the season. This is a good time for a day or two away. We were a step slow tonight. These kids need a break.”
No. 5 EMCC achieved the magical 5-0 mark Thursday with a 48-17 victory against Coahoma C.C. at James E. Miller Field. EMCC stretched its two-season winning streak to 17 games, and its three-season division win streak to 10 straight.
“Championship teams find a way when they don’t play their best,” Stephens told his team after the game. “The important thing is to remember how you play and realize you have to be better the next time around. However, in life, you are not going to win every time, so when you win, you should always enjoy it.”
EMCC will look for that improved effort next Saturday when it plays host to Holmes C.C. for Homecoming at Sullivan-Windham Field. Just like EMCC, Holmes is 2-0 in division play before it faces Mississippi Delta C.C. on Saturday in Goodman.
EMCC, Holmes, and Northwest Mississippi C.C. are the last three unbeatens in the North Division. Conversely, EMCC’s first two division opponents have combined to win one game.
“We are getting there on offense,” EMCC freshman quarterback Quez Johnson said. “I know the best teams are left on our schedule. The goal from the beginning of the year was an undefeated season. Thankfully, we are still on track for that. As a team, we just have to keep working hard and we can’t take any steps backward.”
EMCC will close the season with games against Holmes and Northwest at Scooba. It will play at Northeast Mississippi C.C. and Itawamba C.C. The final four opponents have combined to win 10 games, while the first five opponents on the EMCC schedule have four victories.
“The Holmes contest is critical because it is the next one,” Stephens said. “They have an outstanding defense and most likely will be coming to our place with a 3-0 record in the division. They are fundamentally sound on defense so we will have to make plays.”
Homecoming is set for a 2 p.m. kickoff in Scooba. It is EMCC’s first regularly scheduled Saturday game. The season opener was pushed to a Saturday due to Hurricane Isaac.
“The kids will get three days off,” Stephens said. “They really deserve it.”
Kicking streak ends
Place-kicker Morgan Rhodes saw a string of 22 straight extra-points snapped with a blocked kick attempt on EMCC’s final touchdown Thursday night.
Celebrating his birthday Thursday, the former Northwest Rankin High School kicker has converted 33 of 35 extra points and 2 of 3 field goals this season.
Notes
EMCC has won 18 straight against Coahoma. … The Lions gave up a season-high 17 points. … Defensively, EMCC recorded a second-half shutout for the third time this season. … Stephens is 24-2 in North Division games. … The Lions matched a season-high with 322 rushing yards. However, EMCC also threw for a season-low 134 yards. … EMCC also made two turnovers after a turnover-free game last week in a 56-0 win against Mississippi Delta C.C.
Scott was sports editor for The Dispatch.
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