East Mississippi Community College sophomore wide receiver Kalem Reddix has been waiting for this moment since he switched schools a little more than a year ago.
A coaching change at the end of his freshman season at Mississippi Gulf Coast C.C. placed Reddix on the market for a new junior college program.
EMCC picked up the Gulf Coast native and has watched him emerge into a star.
Reddix will look to build on his-team best receiving numbers at 2 p.m. Saturday when No. 1 EMCC (9-0) plays host to No. 16 Copiah-Lincoln C.C. (6-3) to open the Mississippi Association of Community and Junior Colleges (MACJC) playoffs at Sullivan-Windham Field in Scooba.
“Since arriving here, I have been looking forward to the chance to win a championship,” Reddix said. “This is the closest team I have ever been around. Each hour, each day has been a real blessing. This program sets the standard around this state. To be here helping them win a championship is gratifying, humbling. I have been thinking about the playoffs for a long time. Can’t wait to get started.”
EMCC’s two-season winning streak is at 14 games. After winning last season’s MACJC State championship (sixth in program history) and National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) national championship (fourth), EMCC began this season ranked No. 1.
The Lions backed that ranking from the start of the regular season. EMCC finished undefeated in regular-season play for a fourth time under coach Buddy Stephens.
“Going undefeated is a big deal,” EMCC sophomore defensive lineman Everitt Cunningham said. “Last year, we had to do things the hard way. This year, we were a little more determined. Each player has done that one extra thing to be great instead of just good. We never doubt we will win the championship around here. It’s a standard.”
After a regular-season loss at Northwest Mississippi C.C., EMCC had to win its final five games to capture both championships last season. The Lions had to win out and get some help to power back to No. 1 in the national rankings.
The path to a state championship involved back-to-back road wins at Jones College and Northwest Mississippi C.C.
This season, the path will be different. EMCC has qualified for the playoffs 10 times under Stephens. By winning the MACJC North Division title, EMCC earned the right to serve as host in the opening round of the playoffs.
The winner of the EMCC-Co-Lin game will face No. 5 Northwest or No. 6 Jones in the MACJC State championship game.
Under Stephens, EMCC is 12-3 in postseason play. The Lions had six seasons with a 2-0 mark and a state championship, while three other seasons have ended with a first-round loss.
One such first-round loss took place in 2012, when Co-Lin ran a kickoff back in the closing seconds for a stunning 47-46 victory. It is EMCC’s only loss in 43 games its new stadium.
“With Co-Lin, you just have a lot of veteran coaches,” Stephens said. “They know the league. They always have a powerful football team. We approach the playoffs with the same mind-set each season. The main thing is controlling what we can control. As long as we play to our potential, it has always worked out in the end.”
Reddix leads the receiving corps with 43 catches for 413 yards and three touchdowns.
Messiah deWeaver is completing 67.7 percent of his passes with 1,328 yards and nine touchdowns.
The Lions also have five 100-yard rushing games. Sophomore back Deon McIntosh has four, while freshman Keon Moore had his first last week in a win at Northeast Mississippi C.C.
On defense, the Lions have allowed 13 or fewer points in six games. EMCC has held four teams to less than 100 yards.
“This team has been playing championship defense for most of the season,” EMCC sophomore defensive lineman Eriq Kitchen said. “We don’t need to change anything. We just have to keep doing our thing three more times.”
Follow Dispatch sports writer Scott Walters on Twitter @dispatchscott
Scott was sports editor for The Dispatch.
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