While there aren’t a lot of things for the East Central Community College football team to do socially, whatever the players do, they do it as a team.
“We have really three or four things we do,” ECCC freshman tight end Christopher Deloach said. “Whether it is going to eat or going to work out, or whatever it is, we are doing it as a team. When you have a small town, you don’t have much of a choice. Going to Meridian is a big thing for us. I really never knew a football team could be this big of a family. That’s what we are. It’s special.”
Deloach was a standout defensive player for Columbus High School. The 6-foot-4, 245-pound tight end/defensive end flew under the radar with the Falcons, making big plays on defense and getting a little bit of playing time on offense.
After getting used to living in Decatur instead of Columbus, Deloach had to get used to leaving his hard-hitting days as a physical defender behind and becoming a playmaker on offense.
“You can find 6-foot-4, 245-pound defensive ends on every street corner,” Deloach said. “You really don’t see a lot of tight ends with that size. I knew with my hands and my speed that this would be how I could play (senior college) ball. It has been a transformation. The coaches have believed in me. It has been a good move.”
ECCC (5-4) will play host to No. 4 Northwest Mississippi C.C. (8-1) at 2 p.m. Saturday at Bailey Stadium in the opening-round of the Mississippi Association of Community and Junior Colleges (MACJC) playoffs.
“We really have a great football team,” Deloach said. “It was a struggle the first couple of weeks. It is so hard when you have so many new guys. As a freshman, you just have to learn. You have to learn going to class, studying, working out, living together. It just hits you so hard and so fast. I could tell from the first day we had good chemistry. If you have good chemistry, things are going to turn around for you.”
ECCC opened the season with losses to Holmes C.C. and Northeast Mississippi C.C. From there, things got better and better.
East Central finished 5-1 in South Division play to win its first division title since 1970. The Warriors are in the postseason in back-to-back years for the first time in 40 seasons.
“You have to learn your identity,” Deloach said. “All teams have to learn their identity. It was a big challenge. Yes, you have got some players who can make plays. However, the other team has players who can make plays, too. We just had to be patient and we had to keep working at things. Going into the playoffs, we have a high level of confidence. We know what we are capable of doing.”
As ECCC found its offensive footing, Deloach grew to enjoy playing tight end on a full-time basis. For the season, he has five catches for 110 yards and four touchdowns.
“It was kind of rough starting off,” Deloach said. “I really learned a lot about the position. I did it in high school to do it. I was obsessed with defense and learning everything about it. Now, I was obsessed with playing tight end and learning everything about it. I knew I had the body and the athleticism to get the job done. I have really grown a lot. I have grown a lot as a player and as a person. I found out how much fun it is playing offense.
“When you play defense and make a big hit, you and your teammates are excited. But when you score a touchdown, the fans get excited, too. I am really having my favorite time playing the game.”
Sophomore quarterback Dominic Marino has thrown for 1,374 yards and 22 touchdowns, while freshman Dwayne Barnett has rushed for 957 yards and 10 touchdowns.
In his fourth season as coach, Ken Karcher has helped place ECCC in the upper echelon of the MACJC. The Warriors dressed out 44 freshmen on a 55-man roster in Karcher’s first season. The Warriors stayed young and slowly built a contender.
“It’s really a special environment,” Deloach said. “All of the athletes are close in all of the sports. I think our brotherhood here is great. It really is a family. A family isn’t always going to get along, but they are going to be there for each other.”
The love and support helped Deloach as he carved out a path for more playing time. Playing in the MACJC has been an eye-opening experience.
“The biggest motivation is the fact you are out there playing against great players,” Deloach said. “Each team has some players who have dropped down from Division I. We feel like we play in the (Southeastern Conference) Western Division of JUCO ball. Everybody is good. Everybody has either played big-time college ball and didn’t stay or they are trying to get back to that level. You can’t take a play off. That play you take off is the one that goes on film and the senior college coaches see it.
“The other thing I have learned about playing on this level is that everybody on your team is good, too. You have to play hard because the coach has someone on the bench who wants your spot. They are good enough to get your spot. You go hard because of the person you are going against on the team. You go hard because of the persons playing behind you on your team, too. It’s a fast-pace, intense game. That is what I love about it.”
Both MACJC semifinal matchups are rematches from the regular season. ECCC lost to Northwest Mississippi C.C. 20-14 two weeks ago in Senatobia.
No. 3 East Mississippi C.C. (8-1) will play host to Mississippi Gulf Coast C.C. (5-4) in the other semifinal. EMCC beat Mississippi Gulf Coast 45-7 in the second week of the season.
“We know what is in front of us,” Deloach said. “We really had a great game with Northwest the first time. This time, we are playing at home. Hopefully, that will help us out. It’s a great team playing a great team. The motors will be running high Saturday.”
Follow Dispatch sports writer Scott Walters on Twitter @dispatchscott
Scott was sports editor for The Dispatch.
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