SCOOBA — East Mississippi Community College sophomore defensive back Duke Upshaw had one word for his feelings about his team’s performance against Holmes C.C. last season.
“Helpless.”
As a result, EMCC allowed 652 yards in a 14-point victory in Goodman.
On Thursday night, the tables were turned as No. 1 EMCC made No. 15 Holmes feel helpless in a 49-3 Mississippi Association of Community and Junior Colleges (MACJC) North Division victory at Sullivan-Windham Field.
EMCC improved to 6-0 and 4-0 in division play. It can wrap up a seventh-straight division title by winning Thursday at No. 11 Northwest Mississippi C.C.
Holmes C.C. (4-2, 2-2 division) has thrived as an option-based offense under coach Jeff Koonz. It entered the game averaging 388.2 yards rushing per game, which is No. 1 in the nation.
Holmes C.C. put up 472 yards in a 44-28 loss to EMCC in 2015. Last season, EMCC prevailed 63-49. Each of the last two games featured back-and-forth scoring before EMCC’s defense pulled through in the end.
“This game gives me nightmares every year,” EMCC coach Buddy Stephens said. “It is the worst one to prepare for. They have given us fits the last couple of years. I never doubt our defense. But I have to admit three points is pretty surprising, especially after what we have gone through (the last two seasons).”
The only drama Thursday night was if EMCC would force the mercy rule for the fourth time this season.
EMCC held Holmes C.C. to 215 yards — the lowest total in three seasons. That total included 152 yards rushing and 63 yards passing.
“The biggest thing is assignments,” EMCC sophomore linebacker Ty’Ree Evans said. “You have to stay disciplined. Every single player has to execute their assignment on every play. There is no taking plays off. When you are defending a passing team, it’s a different challenge.
“It’s hard (defending the option) because you don’t see that every day in this league. We had a great week of practice, and it showed on the field.”
While EMCC’s defense was dominant, the offense held up its end of the deal, too.
LSU transfer Lindsey Scott Jr. was 32-for-39 for a season-best 449 yards and a season-best five touchdowns. Thirteen receivers caught balls. Five had touchdowns.
The dominance of EMCC’s defense allowed those players to enjoy the game more.
“Lindsey Scott is awesome,” Evans said. “The only thing missing for me was a bag of popcorn. Watching him is like going to a good movie. You just hope it goes on and on.”
Despite offensive success from the opening kickoff, EMCC held a 14-3 lead at halftime.
Any doubt about the outcome was removed quickly in the second half.
On EMCC’s first possession of the second half, Scott hit Kirk Merritt for a 31-yard touchdown to cap a three-play, 58-yard drive.
Upshaw had an interception on Holmes’ next offensive play. The return set the Lions up on the Bulldogs’ 5-yard line. Scott covered that distance on one play.
“The interception was the turning point of the game,” Stephens said. “Holmes doesn’t like to throw, so when they do you need to force mistakes.”
EMCC blew the game open with 28 points in the third quarter.
“God was with me on that interception,” Upshaw said. “I was simply playing through Him. It was a big turnover. You could tell their confidence was flickering.”
EMCC had eight tackles for loss, four sacks, four breakups, and four hurries. Ty Williams also had an interception.
The two biggest stops took place in the first half with the game still in doubt.
Down 14-0, Holmes C.C. drove 75 yards to the EMCC 8. Cole Baker, Emanuel Bridges, and JaQuez Akins had key tackles to force a field goal try on fourth down.
Holmes C.C. drove inside the EMCC 10 midway through the second quarter. This time, Baker had the big hits on first down, third down, and fourth-and-1. Lorenzo Dantzler also had a critical tackle for loss on the possession.
“We showed we came to play in the second quarter,” Evans said. “Last year was such a long night against them. We weren’t going to let that happen again.”
Holmes C.C. had 48 yards in the second half.
“That was some championship-level defense,” Upshaw said. “This unit has come a long way. We really stayed on the younger guys this week. We told them how big a challenge we had. Every player on the team had to pitch in to make tonight happen. We feel good about how this turned out.”
Follow Dispatch sports writer Scott Walters on Twitter @dispatchscott
Scott was sports editor for The Dispatch.
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