East Mississippi Community College sophomore defensive back Brian Cole likes where his defense is at the moment.
“We have 11 guys really engaged right now,” Cole said. “A good defense is a defense that moves as one. Our communication has gotten so much better. I think we are ready to do some special things.”
Under Buddy Stephens, when the calendar turns to November, the Lions are prepared to play their best football.
So the clicking of both the offense and defense is logical as third-ranked EMCC (7-1) prepares to close the regular season against Hinds Community College (2-6).
Kickoff for this Mississippi Association of Community and Junior Colleges (MACJC) non-division battle is set for 7 p.m. Thursday at Sullivan-Windham Field in Scooba.
While EMCC clinched its sixth straight North Division title outright with last week’s 42-0 win over Coahoma Community College, there is still plenty to play for Thursday night.
For a second straight week, EMCC is ranked third nationally in the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) rankings. A win over Hinds will not move the needle much in the computer rankings. However, EMCC could have two chances to impress in the MACJC state playoffs.
By winning the North Division, EMCC will host a first-round playoff game Nov. 4.
“You really want to be playing your best football going into the playoffs,” EMCC sophomore defensive back Dontavius Powell said. “We finally have the defense where we want it to be. The shutout (against Coahoma) really meant a lot, since it was our first one this year. The biggest thing about (playing Hinds) is having the chance to carry some momentum into the playoffs. We really want to go in there on a strong note.”
EMCC had gone 36 straight games without allowing 40 or more points. That streak was snapped in EMCC’s dramatic 44-42 win over Itawamba Community College in Fulton. Holmes Community College also topped that mark in its 63-49 home loss to EMCC.
“It just took everybody a little while for everybody to get comfortable,” EMCC freshman lineman Maleke Bell said. “We thrive on the big games around here. I think you will see a much different team in the playoffs.”
Only a two-point loss to Jones Junior College is keeping EMCC from being the nation’s clear-cut No. 1 team. There is still time for that to change with No. 1 Garden City (Kansas) College and No. 2 Arizona Western College still facing ranked teams to conclude their respective regular seasons.
EMCC can’t control the outcome of those two games. It can control potentially winning a state championship for the fifth time under Stephens.
“Playing at home is a huge advantage,” Stephens said. “After last season (a postseason ban from the MACJC playoffs), we will celebrate this (North Division) championship, like it’s the greatest thing ever. Our kids are ready to keep going.”
Follow Dispatch sports writer Scott Walters on Twitter @dispatchscott
Scott was sports editor for The Dispatch.
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