BILOXI — East Mississippi Community College sophomore linebacker Justin Lucas said defensive coordinator Jordan Lesley had important instructions prior to the team’s game against No. 2 Iowa Western C.C. on Sunday afternoon.

“He told us to go out and get some turnovers,” Lucas said.

Lesley had no idea how well the Lions would grant his wish.

No. 1 EMCC forced a season-high five turnovers (all in the first half) to pave the way for a 34-17 win in Mississippi Bowl VII at Biloxi High School’s Indian Stadium. The victory enabled EMCC (12-0) to complete the school’s third undefeated season in football and win its third National Junior College Athletic Association national championship.

“We persevered. We stood tall through it all,” said Lucas, a former standout at Aberdeen High School. “Through all challenges, we came through. That is what champions do.”

EMCC held IWCC to 195 yards. The Lions matched a school-record with five shutouts in the regular season, but Sunday could have been their best defensive game of the year.

“We do what we do best,” EMCC sophomore free safety Allen Sentimore said. “There wasn’t going to be one guy who didn’t leave everything on the field. This was the biggest game of the season, so we wanted to play our best.”

On defense, the heroes were numerous.

Former Columbus Falcon Quan Latham had two interceptions, a forced fumble, a pass breakup, and three tackles. Lucas had a team-high 14 tackles, including two for loss. William Lloyd had seven tackles (three for loss) and two pass breakups. Sentimore had five tackles, a forced fumble, and an interception. Demetrius Cain and Deshadrick Truly had fumble recoveries.

“It was a blessing to come out here and be champions again,” Latham said. “It means a lot to come out here and finish what you started. Our main goal today was to complete turnovers. We do turnover drills every day in practice, so it is molded into us. The biggest thing is completing them when you have the opportunity. We did a great job of that.”

IWCC had nine possessions in the first half. The Reivers turned the ball over five times, punted twice, and scored once. The half ended on another possession. IWCC had a 53-yard drive end in points and a 40-yard drive end in a fumble. No other drive went for more than 17 yards.

It appeared Latham, Sentimore, and Lucas were everywhere in a first half, which ended with the Lions in firm control, 21-7.

“Those three were special,” EMCC coach Buddy Stephens said. “They really played out of their minds. It seemed like they were in on every stop, every play. We knew Iowa Western had the potential to be the best offense we have faced all season. The best way to stop a really good offense is by taking the ball away from them. We did an incredible job of that. Five turnovers really gave you the separation between the teams.”

Still, the Reivers seized momentum in the third quarter. Zach Martin scored on an 8-yard run on his team’s first possession of the half. IWCC held EMCC to three and out on the next series and moved to the Lions’ 15-yard line on a 14-yard pass from Martin to Alex Reed. But a sack by Lloyd on second down and a quarterback hurry by Marco Montgomery on third down following an EMCC penalty that advanced the ball to the 13 forced the Reivers to settle for a field goal that made it 21-17.

“That was the biggest stop in the game, even though they scored the field goal,” Latham said. “We had to do something to get the momentum back. We knew the offense would have our backs. It was just a matter of time before they had a big drive. We just had to keep battling until then.”

EMCC followed with a 12-play, 76-yard scoring drive. After the field goal, IWCC punted on four of its final five possessions. The Reivers turned the ball over on downs on the other possession. They managed only 18 yards and one first down in that stretch.

“We were in some tough situations,” Lucas said. “We just stuck to the game plan the coaches gave us. Our job is to make turnovers and give our offense good situations. Our goal was to be 1-0 every week. We never got too far ahead. We never got too up or too down. However, 1-0 means a lot more this week. It means we are champions.”

Follow Scott Walters on Twitter @dispatchscott

Scott was sports editor for The Dispatch.