SCOOBA — Kirk Merritt arrived at East Mississippi Community College in May from Texas A&M.
It didn’t take EMCC football coach Buddy Stephens long to see what he had to do.
“We’re going to get him as many touches as we can,” Stephens said. “He and (quarterback) Lindsey (Scott Jr.) are two guys you’re going to keep the ball in their hands as long as you can.”
In his EMCC debut, Merritt caught seven passes for 180 yards and a touchdown. Most of the production came in a second half that busted open defensive struggle and erased a third-quarter deficit in a 47-34 victory against Jones County Junior College.
Stephens had planned to feature Merritt, but Merritt didn’t have any idea.
“We have a lot of playmakers — Mike Williams, Brandon Rodgers, (Daniel Crowell Jr.), (Dontario) Drummond, Tyrell Price, Lindsey throwing the ball,” Merritt said. “We have so many weapons you can’t key on one person. We spread the ball around all the time. We do that all the time in practice. That’s nothing new.”
Trailing by 14 points, Scott’s first completion of the second half was to Merritt for a 30-yard gain. EMCC scored two plays later. Before the quarter ended, Merritt busted an 80-yard touchdown reception that brought the Lions within four.
In between, Merritt returned a punt for a touchdown, only to have it called back by a penalty.
Stephens said he won’t wait as long next game to get Merritt involved.
“That’s one of the better athletes in the country,” Stephens said. “Kirk’s a good football player. You can’t help it. You give him the ball whether you hand it off to him or throw it to him outside. He’s going to be a prominent part of the offense because he’s a really good football player.”
Stephens left out snapping the ball directly to Merritt. EMCC displayed the Wildcat formation — in which a non-quarterback takes the snap for a running play — several times with Merritt as the featured back. The runs didn’t amount to much, but all parties involved are enthusiastic about making it work. Stephens installed it as soon as Merritt got to campus.
“I really like that kind of play,” Merritt said, adding he hasn’t ran it since youth football. “I like the ball in my hands. I just like making plays for the team.”
Merritt’s timing was perfect against JCJC.
In the first half, the Lions averaged 3.5 yards per carry and had only 14 points in seven possessions. Merritt had three catches for 37 yards, but his role in the revival put everyone on notice for what’s to come.
“When we came out, we were a little shaky. There was a question of who was going to step up. I feel like Kirk did a great job of that,” Scott said. “It helps a lot when those guys have the right mind-set.”
Said Stephens, “I think he got a lot of people’s respect tonight. I think both of them did, he and Lindsey. I think that’s going to mean a lot for them moving forward.”
As for how Merritt’s use will change as EMCC moves forward, Stephens left that up to how Scott and Merritt grow together. If that’s all that is there to be conquered, Scott is confident.
“If we can cut out the mistakes,” Scott said, “we can put up tremendous numbers. We are our own wall.”
Follow Dispatch sports writer Brett Hudson on Twitter @Brett_Hudson
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