SCOOBA — As East Mississippi Community College readies itself for the National Junior College Athletic Association playoffs on Saturday, the Lions received a number of in-state recognitions on Monday.
The Mississippi Association of Community Colleges Conference released its all-conference first team, second team and honorable mention lists, with 21 EMCC players making the cut.
Monday’s news was highlighted by MACCC North Offensive Player of the Year and first-team selection Ty Keyes, one of four first-team selections for the Lions.
The Southern Miss transfer was named MACCC Offensive Player of the Week three times this season and is currently first in junior college football with 29 passing touchdowns and second with 268.8 passing yards per game. He’s thrown for 2,955 yards so far in 2023.
Rounding out EMCC’s first-team selections are wide receiver Marcus Harris, offensive lineman and former Starkville Yellow Jacket Karsten Upchurch and defensive back Shannon Blair.
Harris has caught 38 passes for 387 yards and five touchdowns this season, along with a kickoff return average of 21.7 yards per return this season. Blair is tied for the team lead in interceptions with three, including a pick-six.
Highlighting second team selections for the Lions are leading rusher Kiron Benjamin and leading receiver Cam Wright. Benjamin has rushed for 569 yards and seven touchdowns this season while Wright is top-10 nationally with 785 receiving yards and eight touchdowns.
Head coach Buddy Stephens was also named MACCC North Coach of the Year, leading EMCC to a 9-2 record this season and while clenching back-to-back MACCC championships.
EMCC is set to play at Hutchinson (Kan.) Community College in the NJCAA semifinals at 2 p.m. Saturday.
You can help your community
Quality, in-depth journalism is essential to a healthy community. The Dispatch brings you the most complete reporting and insightful commentary in the Golden Triangle, but we need your help to continue our efforts. In the past week, our reporters have posted 46 articles to cdispatch.com. Please consider subscribing to our website for only $2.30 per week to help support local journalism and our community.
You can help your community
Quality, in-depth journalism is essential to a healthy community. The Dispatch brings you the most complete reporting and insightful commentary in the Golden Triangle, but we need your help to continue our efforts. In the past week, our reporters have posted 46 articles to cdispatch.com. Please consider subscribing to our website for only $2.30 per week to help support local journalism and our community.
Join the Discussion