SENATOBIA –Most teams would be awed by a 51-point quarter.
Then again, most teams aren’t like the No. 2 East Mississippi Community College football squad.
In a little more than 21 minutes of playing time, EMCC scored 72 straight points Thursday night to defeat Northwest Mississippi C.C. 79-7 at Bobby Franklin Field.
Once tied at 7, the Lions scored the final 21 points of the second quarter and then set a school record with 51 points in the third quarter.
“It’s what we do,” EMCC sophomore wide receiver Antoinne Adkins said. “I think people are pretty much used to watching this show. Once we get going, it’s pretty hard to stop.”
Adkins had eight receptions for 104 yards. Quarterback Dontreal Pruitt threw for 334 yards and seven touchdowns. The seven touchdowns is a school record and has been accomplished seven times — four times by Bo Wallace, who has gone on to play at Ole Miss, once by Randall Mackey, a former Rebel, and twice by Pruitt.
The seven-touchdown effort pushed Pruitt into the top spot in the nation with 33. He has thrown only three interceptions.
“He is playing like an All-American,” EMCC coach Buddy Stephens said. “You see the numbers and then you stop and realize he has only played a half in four or five of our eight games. It is pretty staggering.”
The Lions had eight passing touchdowns, and nine receivers caught at least one pass. Six receivers scored touchdowns, including the first of his career for Jorrell Thurmon, a transfer from Pearl River C.C.
On the ground
Todd Mays increased his statewide lead in rushing touchdowns — 13 — with two more scores. He leads the state and ranks fourth nationally.
Lakenderic Thomas rushed for a career-high 200 yards on only 11 carries. Thomas is the second EMCC back under Stephens to rush for 200 yards in a game. Rodriguez Moore accomplished the feat twice.
On the other side, the EMCC defense held former Columbus High standout Damian Baker to 7 yards rushing on 11 carries. Baker will enter his team’s season finale at Jones Junior College needing 125 yards to become the Rangers’ fifth all-time 2,000-yard rusher.
Playoff berths
No. 6 Jones Junior College clinched at least a share of the South Division title and the division’s No. 1 seed Thursday night by defeating Southwest Mississippi C.C. 31-10 in Summit.
Jones (7-1, 5-1 South Division) secures its first division title since 2001. It will play host to a playoff game for the first time since 2002. On Saturday, No. 7 Mississippi Gulf Coast C.C. (6-1, 3-1) will play host to No. 5 Copiah-Lincoln C.C. (6-1, 3-1) in another South Division game. The winner will earn the No. 2 seed from the South regardless of what happens in the final week of the regular season.
In the North Division, EMCC (8-0, 5-0 North Division) secured a sixth-straight playoff berth with its win Thursday. The Lions also grabbed at least a share of the division title for the fifth time in six seasons. No. 20 Itawamba C.C. (6-2, 4-1) clinched the other playoff berth from the division by beating Northeast Mississippi C.C. 36-33 Thursday night in Fulton. EMCC will play host to ICC on Thursday night in Scooba. The winner will earn the North Division No. 1 seed.
The EMCC-ICC winner and Jones will play host the Mississippi Association of Junior and Community College semifinal games Nov. 2.
Co-Lin and Gulf Coast made the playoffs last season, while ICC is back in for the first time since winning the division in 2007.
EMCC has started 8-0 for a third-straight season.
Looking ahead
With a national ranking of No. 2, thoughts are turning to the national championship race. EMCC’s game against ICC will be huge because it will decide the North Division champion. It also will mark EMCC’s first game against a ranked opponent, assuming ICC can maintain its national standing after its victory against Northeast Mississippi C.C.
Should it advance, EMCC most likely will face two ranked opponents in the playoffs, including the possibility of two top-10 foes from the South Division. It will be a major opportunity to enhance the resume by receiving a strength of schedule boost. EMCC has beaten eight teams with losing records.
“We are down to a three-game season,” Stephens said. “It is all right here in front of us. The kids know we have not accomplished anything. Division championships are nice, but when you are undefeated, there is so much more in front of you.”
No. 1 Georgia Military College is also 8-0. The Bulldogs’ game scheduled for Saturday against Virginia Beach Institute has been canceled. Three games remain on the GMC schedule, with Georgia Prep Sports Academy up next Oct. 24.
If Georgia Military finishes the regular season No. 1, it will have its choice of nine National Junior College Athletic Association bowl games to attend. That bowl then could invite to EMCC as an opponent.
Follow Scott Walters on Twitter
@dispatchscott.
Scott was sports editor for The Dispatch.
You can help your community
Quality, in-depth journalism is essential to a healthy community. The Dispatch brings you the most complete reporting and insightful commentary in the Golden Triangle, but we need your help to continue our efforts. In the past week, our reporters have posted 37 articles to cdispatch.com. Please consider subscribing to our website for only $2.30 per week to help support local journalism and our community.