SCOOBA — East Mississippi Community College sophomore defensive back C.J. Reavis admits it took a while for him to return to his comfort zone.
Now flourishing as a standout in the Mississippi Association of Community and Junior College ranks, the Virginia Tech transfer is working overtime to build up the resume for a return to senior college competition. As he grows and develops, the Lions’ defense is coming along for the ride.
A critical goal-line stand swung the momentum for good Saturday in No. 6 EMCC’s 48-24 victory against Itawamba C.C. in a MACJC North Division game played before a capacity Homecoming crowd at Sullivan-Windham Field.
“It took a little longer than I expected, but we have gotten there,” Reavis said. “I think the same thing can be said for the entire defense. Defense is all about communicating. We now have that comfort level. I know I am feeling good again. We are seeing results from our hard work.”
EMCC improved to 4-1 and 3-0 in division play for a fifth-straight season. The Lions won their third straight against the archrival Indians. While the final score was closer than EMCC’s 51-0 victory last season, the Lions’ defense made sure the game was never really in doubt.
“We really liked the zero points at halftime,” EMCC freshman linebacker Ryan Lee said. “We didn’t like the 24 points allowed in the second half. We let our guard down a little bit when the game was over. However, we showed what we are capable of doing as a defensive unit. I think everybody thought we would be good right away. Instead, we had to do some growing up.
“Still, we are nowhere near the perfect game, so we will keep working hard looking for that.”
The defense helped EMCC build a 24-0 lead at halftime. With EMCC leading 10-0, ICC (2-3, 1-2) used 13 plays to drive to the EMCC 1-yard line. The Indians were ready to go the field goal route at the 14. However, an offside penalty gave ICC new life, but EMCC held on four downs from inside the 10. Ronald Ollie had two big hits, while pressure from De’Arius Christmas and Lee broke up another passing play. After Ollie made the big hit on fourth down, EMCC’s offense put the game away, driving 99 yards on 11 plays. Wyatt Roberts hit Allenze Staggers on a big 29-yard pass play. Former Starkville High standout Jacquez Horsley capped the drive with a 23-yard touchdown.
“The 99-yard drive was great,” Lee said. “We know our offense can score from anywhere in the field. We just won’t to keep the other team out of the end zone that is the main thing. As long as they don’t cross that goal line, that means we can make a stop and get the ball back.”
The Homecoming crowd was trying to get engaged in the game. That long drive did the trick.
“Everybody was excited,” Reavis said. “When you have the big defensive play and then you have the big offensive play on back-to-back possessions, it is exciting. You just feel that big adrenaline rush when you turn the other team away. Our offense then took it and did something with all of that momentum.”
EMCC kept the good times alive on defense on the next possession when Lee blocked a field goal. The exclamation point followed when Wyatt Roberts hit Isaiah Wright for a 36-yard touchdown on the final play of the half.
Roberts was 24 of 36 for 261 yards and three touchdowns. Isaiah Jones had six receptions for a team-high 121 yards. Isaiah Wright had 16 carries for 100 yards.
EMCC finished with 705 yards of offense and 36 first downs.
In the second half, EMCC extended the lead to 31-0 before a bizarre series of events took place in a fourth quarter that saw the teams combine to score 38 points. An altercation on the sidelines resulted in an alternate official and EMCC coach Buddy Stephens leaving the playing field for the final 12 minutes.
Stephens worked the remainder of the game from the press box.
“I didn’t handle the situation professionally like I should have,” Stephens said. “I was not ejected. Instead, I left the field to help defuse what was a very volatile situation. I am sorry it happened, but we go forward and it won’t happen again.”
Six personal foul penalties were called in the second half. Two EMCC players were ejected for late hits.
After the game, EMCC was ready to move on to the next challenge — a Thursday night game at South Division rival Jones Junior College. While the game will have no impact on the North Division race, it will have a huge say in the national championship race. EMCC still has hopes for a third-straight national title, despite losing to fellow South Division foe Copiah-Lincoln in overtime in the second week of the season.
“We wish we had that game back,” EMCC sophomore defensive lineman DeShawn Tillman said. “We are a much different defense now. All we can do, though, is win. We know we can control playing for and winning a state championship. That is our sole motivation. If we keep winning, at least we have a chance (at the national title).”
Follow Dispatch sports writer Scott Walters on Twitter @dispatchscott
Scott was sports editor for The Dispatch.
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