SCOOBA — In a litany of obscene offensive numbers, special teams play often gets lost in the shuffle in the Mississippi Association of Community and Junior Colleges.
On Thursday night, the No. 14 East Mississippi Community College football team needed the play of its special teams to be special to win its home opener. The unit was just that and played a key role in a 54-10 victory against Northeast Mississippi C.C. before an overflow crowd at Sullivan-Windham Field.
EMCC (2-1) won its MACJC North Division opener for the eighth time in Buddy Stephens’ nine seasons as head coach. The Lions have won 19-straight division games dating back to the 2012 season.
On a night full of bizarre plays, EMCC brought the mercy rule into effect for a second-straight week with six rushing touchdowns and two defensive scores. It was the first time in 90 games with Stephens as coach EMCC didn’t throw a touchdown pass in a game.
“We just had to persevere,” EMCC sophomore defensive back Dontavius Powell said. “There were a lot of times tonight where it just wasn’t very pretty. However, we kept battling. We work on special teams every day in practice. We saw some things on film we thought we could take advantage of. We made those plays on special teams because of the film study. It’s the main reason we won the game.”
Special teams’ highlights were in abundance:
n Brooks Shannon opened the game with a 40-yard kickoff return that led to an immediate touchdown and a 7-0 lead for EMCC.
n After Northeast tied the game, Isaiah Wright ripped off a 40-yard kickoff return, but the Lions were stuffed and had to punt.
n Powell recovered a fumble on a kickoff return with EMCC leading 19-10 in the waning minutes of the first half. Again, the Lions were unable to cash in.
n In the second half, Powell blocked an Austin Holloway field goal. Duke Upshaw recovered the football and returned it 76 yards for a touchdown and a 33-10 lead.
n In the fourth quarter, EMCC rushed the punter and benefited from a bad snap. After the punter misplayed the ball, Ja’Moz Mark recovered the football and scampered 5 yards for a touchdown and a 47-10 lead.
EMCC scored all of the game’s 35 points in the second half and finished with 41 unanswered points.
“The coaches talk all the time about special teams and how it can be the difference in a game,” said Upshaw, a freshman defensive back. “I was in the right place at the right time on the field goal block. Once I had possession, I saw the open field and my heart raced a little bit. Even though we had a big lead at the time, it still meant a lot to get in there and scored the touchdown. It was exciting.”
EMCC had 35 rushes for 235 yards. The Lions enjoyed scoring drives of 89, 99, and 93 yards. Tyrell Price had three touchdowns, while De’Andre Johnson added two and Ja’Mori Mark had the other. Brieton Sykes had a 24-yard run, and Jacquez Horsley had a 22-yard run.
Despite three turnovers and 12 penalties (including six personal fouls), Stephens liked what he saw in the second half.
“Really proud of how we played in the second half,” Stephens said. “There are a series of things you need to do when you have a lead to put a game away. We were able to do all of those things. I think you see a team that is not satisfied. You also a team learning how to grow and form an identity. We have a long way to go but you saw a lot of good things there in the second half.”
In his second start, Johnson was 23 of 36 for 275 yards. It was the second time under Stephens a starting quarterback didn’t throw a touchdown pass in a game.
“The bottom line is getting the win,” Johnson said. “It’s a good feeling when you win by 44 points (and) you know you haven’t come close to reaching your potential.”
EMCC’s final touchdowns came from Ja’Moz Mark and Ja’Mori Mark, who are twin brothers from Tylertown.
Ja’Moz Mark went first with the fumble return touchdown. When EMCC got the ball back again, the Lions were running out the clock when Ja’Mori Mark broke two tackles at the line of scrimmage and raced 30 yards for a score, breaking one more as he crossed the goal line.
“I really wanted to score,” Ja’Mori Mark said, “especially just minutes after my brother did. I knew this would be great for my family. I fell forward at about the 1-yard line and was glad I wasn’t denied.”
Follow Dispatch sports writer Scott Walters on Twitter @dispatchscott
Scott was sports editor for The Dispatch.
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