PITTSBURG, Kansas — Sophomore running back Deon McIntosh helped the East Mississippi Community College football team accomplish its mission Thursday night.
McIntosh transferred from Notre Dame and linked up with EMCC for one semester. The goal was to re-establish himself as a coveted Division I prospect and to win a national title.
The first goal took place during the season with the school’s first 1,000-yard season in five years. The second took place Thursday night, when No. 1 EMCC beat No. 2 Garden City C.C. 10-9 to win the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) national championship at Carnie Smith Stadium.
“This was just an unbelievable experience,” McIntosh said. “The program (at EMCC) has a reputation. I found it to be so much more than that. It was a life-changing experience. Fortunately, we ended it with a national championship.”
EMCC won its fifth national title in the past eight seasons. Coach Buddy Stephens has led EMCC to back-to-back titles twice. The EMCC sophomore class finished 23-1.
McIntosh wasn’t at EMCC for the first half of that record. He relishes being part of the second half.
“It’s just been special,” McIntosh said. “There is just a lot of talent here. That doesn’t mean the championship is automatic.”
The win was anything but automatic. The EMCC defense forced four turnovers and picked up the slack on a night EMCC gained only 211 yards. The Lions were outgained in their last two games of the 2018 campaign after not having it happen in 18-straight games.
“The defense really had our backs,” said EMCC sophomore wide receiver Kalem Reddix, who was also here for one year after transferring from Mississippi Gulf Coast C.C. “It was always a team effort. However, our defense was just special this year. They held things together when we had some three-and-outs. Winning this championship is just an amazing feeling. I have never been a part of something like this.”
Messiah deWeaver was 17-for-29 for 96 yards. The Michigan State transfer held up his end of the deal by not throwing any interceptions.
For an offensive-minded coach like Stephens, the win was unusual. EMCC has been held below 20 points three times in 123 games under Stephens. Two of those have been in the last two games.
The win came on the heels of a 19-14 victory against Jones College in the Mississippi Association of Community and Junior Colleges (MACJC) State championship.
“This is not how we have gone about winning some championships in the past,” Stephens said. “However, defense wins championships. This year, we won with one of the best defenses we have ever had. It was one of the best defenses our league has ever seen. They were lights out the entire season.
“We had our chances on offense in this game, too. We just couldn’t finish our scoring chances.”
McIntosh broke off a couple of nice runs to finish with 69 yards on 18 carries. Dontario Drummond — the state’s best receiver — had six catches for 39 yards. He an acrobatic catch down the sidelines and was one broken tackle away from going the distance.
Drummond turned the game against Jones College around with two long catches from TyQuan Ulmer. The Lions tried to find another spark by inserting Ulmer midway through the game. Unfortunately, EMCC didn’t receive a big lift.
“The offense had an off night,” Drummond said. “However, it’s about winning the championship. Two of the best defenses battled in this game. We just made enough plays to come out on top.”
For McIntosh and deWeaver, a move from Division I to Scooba paid off. For Ulmer, Reddix, and others, a move from another community college to Scooba paid off. For Mississippi boys, such as linebacker Untareo Johnson, it was all smiles as a group of fans that made the 10-hour trip from Scooba took to the field for pictures with their favorite players.
“This was for the Mississippi boys,” Johnson said. “Garden City has hardly any Kansas boys (the roster listed two). Our team is full of Mississippi boys. Maybe they can learn from something from us. That is how you win championships,”
Follow Dispatch sports writer Scott Walters on Twitter @dispatchscott
Scott was sports editor 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 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.
