DECATUR — In the preseason, East Mississippi Community College fifth-year football coach Buddy Stephens called this season’s squad “his best defensive unit ever.”
The top-ranked Lions’ defense backed Stephens’ lofty praise again Thursday night. EMCC forced four turnovers and only allowed a late 7-yard scoring drive in a 51-7 romp against East Central C.C. at Bailey Stadium.
“We have like four meetings a day. It’s all about football. We take playing defense personally,” EMCC sophomore defensive back Jason Yarbor said. “If we didn’t have the takeaways, we might have six meetings. That is what we are doing. We are working to be the perfect defense.”
While the Lions (2-0) most likely won’t find perfection, they are headed in the right direction. By not allowing a point in the first three quarters, the defense made it five straight quarters without allowing a point. A long interception return set ECCC (0-2) up for a 7-yard scoring drive early in the fourth quarter.
Still, the Warriors — who averaged less than 3 yards per snap — needed all four downs to get those 7 yards to snap the shutout.
“That is the way it is supposed to be,” Yarbor said. “The defense coaches drill it into us every day. We are not supposed to allow anything. We are supposed to take it personally when we do.”
Last season, EMCC rolled to an undefeated ledger and a national championship with a high-octane offense and an improved defense. Still, that squad gave up 25 points per game, including 47 in the national title win.
“I really think I finally have a balanced team,” Stephens said. “We are not where we are going to be or where we want to be. We will get there. Defensively, we have been outstanding. They hit so hard. They hit that way on every play.”
If EMCC isn’t where it wants to be offensively, ECCC doesn’t want to see the finished product. On Thursday, the Lions racked up 26 first downs and had 539 yards of total offense.
“Our offense is not clicking just yet,” said EMCC sophomore linebacker Corey Williams, a former Noxubee County High School star. “When they get there, we are going to be scary good. Defensively, we have been executing the game plan. We know that is the best way to get wins right now.”
The Lions have nine takeaways in their first two games, the best two-game total in Stephens’ 46 games as head coach. Brandon Edwards, Za’Darius Smith, Yarbor, and Williams each had forced fumbles. Christian Russell had two fumble recoveries, while C.J. Shepherd had another.
Smith, a sophomore from Greenville, Ala., who is wearing the number of Denico Autry, last season’s defensive leader and All-American, made the defensive play of the night. The 6-foot-6, 255-pounder went vertical and got a hand on a pass by quarterback Colton Kane late in the second quarter. The ball spun in the air and was caught on the ricochet by Smith, who took it 25 yards on the return.
“I have not played baseball in a long time,” Smith said. “But it was like catching a popup. I needed to break one more tackle and it would have been a touchdown.”
Sophomore defensive back Justin Cox, of West Point, had five pass deflections, and former New Hope High School product Frank Richardson Jr. blocked a punt to give the Lions two blocked kicks in as many weeks.
“Speed, speed, speed,” Stephens said. “We have speed everywhere on the defense. This is the fastest team I have seen play in this league. That is what giving us separation against the other teams on offense. We have big guys, but we have big guys who can move. They are always in the right place at the right time.”
The EMCC offense is trying to get to the right place at the right time. The Lions saw steady improvement from former Starkville High standout Quez Johnson in his second start. Johnson completed 20 of 34 passes for 249 yards. He had two passing touchdowns and a rushing score.
“He is simply trying to make too many plays,” Stephens said. “He wants to make every play out there. In our offense, it is hard to slow down. However, we need him to. We want him patient and relaxed. Once he stops trying so hard, he will be great.”
EMCC scored on two of its three possessions to build a 14-0 lead. The Lions only allowed 82 yards in the first half yards and pushed the lead to 24-0 at halftime. Rodriguez Moore’s second touchdown removed all doubt midway through the third quarter.
“When the offense clicks, we are going to be good,” said Yarbor, who played at Meridian High School. “We really can’t do anything for now until waiting on them to do that. Defensively, we are going to bring it every week. This is our life right now and we love it.
“This is a team in every sense of the word. We are No. 1 in the nation, and we take pride in that. The message for the offense is simple: They know we have their back.”
Scott was sports editor for The Dispatch.
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