ELLISVILLE — East Mississippi Community College coach Buddy Stephens called his rushing attack “a three-headed monster” earlier in the season.
On Thursday night at Bobcat Stadium, one monster was enough to get the job done.
Freshman Isaiah Wright enjoyed his first three-touchdown rushing night as No. 7 EMCC rolled over Jones Junior College 49-7 in its final non-division game.
Leading rusher D.J. Law and fellow freshman reserve Jacquez Horsley missed the game due to injuries. Law has been unable to practice this week, while Horsley’s unavailability was a game-time decision.
“I was thinking I got to fill in for my boys,” Wright said. “I knew they were expecting me to come in and pick up the slack, so I came through and did it for them.”
EMCC had 438 of its 518 total yards in the first half. The Lions led 42-0 at halftime.
“We came out slow, we really need to pick up our tempo more,” said Wright, who was a standout at Florence High School. “If we pick up our tempo more, we are going to be unstoppable.”
Law has rushed for a team-high 447 yards. However, he missed the second half of EMCC’s 48-24 victory against Itawamba C.C. on Saturday after suffering a knee injury. Horsley was next with 326 yards. An ailing ankle held him out Thursday.
Without Law and Horsley, the running game fell on Wright. Linebacker Diamante Pounds came over and practiced with the offense this week and had four carries. Wright had 13 carries, while the other 13 were split between starting quarterback Wyatt Roberts and reserve John Franklin III.
“Isaiah is eager,” said EMCC offensive coordinator Marcus Wood, who also served as acting coach while Stephens served the first game of his two-game suspension. “He is one of those that comes to practice every day ready to learn. We have been able to turn him loose on special teams. He knew the importance of his role tonight because the running game was on him.”
Wright has had several highlight-reel plays on offense and special teams this season. However, his work Thursday night was pedestrian but still necessary.
EMCC won its fourth-straight game and can close in on a Mississippi Association of Community and Junior Colleges North Division crown by beating Holmes C.C. on Thursday in Goodman and No. 5 Northwest Mississippi C.C. at home the following week.
“At the end of the week, the goal is to be 1-0,” Wright said. “We have played well the last month. We have to keep that up.”
Wright adds a different dimension to the running game. All three backs are ultra fast. Stephens said earlier the different skill set of each back is what makes the trio a lethal combination.
“Since D.J. is the most experienced back, he is like our mentor,” Wright said. “We all just come out and make big plays. I am getting more comfortable back there and it is all coming back to me now. The best is yet to come. We are pretty dangerous when all three of us get rolling.”
Follow Dispatch sports writer Scott Walters on Twitter @dispatchscott
Ben Wait reports on Mississippi State University sports for The Dispatch.
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 35 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 35 articles to cdispatch.com. Please consider subscribing to our website for only $2.30 per week to help support local journalism and our community.
