East Mississippi Community College didn’t play many tight games in its undefeated run through regular season this year.

The tightest game No. 3 EMCC played was a 20-17 victory against Hinds C.C. on Sept. 8 in Raymond.

A lot has happened since the second week of the season.

The stakes will be much higher when the rematch takes place at 2 p.m. Saturday in the opening-round of the MACJC state playoffs at EMCC’s Sullivan-Windham Field. Stadium gates will open at noon. Tickets for the contest are $10 or $5 for students with IDs. A local broadcast may be heard on WFCA-FM (107.9). A video feed will also be available through the EMCC web site at http://athletics.eastms.edu.

“Both teams have really come a long way since the first game,” EMCC coach Buddy Stephens said. “You like the information you got from playing a team the first time around. At the same time, a lot has changed and both teams are playing much better.”

EMCC capped an undefeated run through the North Division for a third time in four seasons last Thursday with a 56-35 win at Holmes C.C. EMCC defensive end Denico Autry was the star of the game, and Monday was named NJCAA Player of the Week. Autry was credited with 11 tackles and four sacks in the victory.

By winning the North Division, EMCC earned home-field advantage for both rounds of the playoffs.

The other semifinal will feature South Division champion Mississippi Gulf Coast C.C. playing host to North Division runner-up Northeast Mississippi C.C. in Perkinston. The semifinal winners will meet at 2 p.m. Nov. 11 in the state championship game.

“Playing at home is such a huge advantage,” Stephens said. “We began the year with the goal of winning the North Division championship. We knew that would give us a huge leg up when it came time for the playoffs. We expect a large crowd. Our kids are very excited about being back in the playoffs and playing at home.”

Stephens has guided the Lions to the postseason in each of his four seasons as coach. In 2009, EMCC parlayed home-field advantage into the school’s only state championship. EMCC defeated Gulf Coast 75-71 in that state championship game. A year ago, the Lions lost 48-21 at Copiah-Lincoln C.C. in the opening round of the playoffs.

“We had a couple of misfires last year,” Stephens said. “There is a lot of parity in this league. That is why it is extremely important to play at home. Gulf Coast and Hinds took us to the wire in the regular season. Northeast is very talented as well. They have some excellent offensive firepower.”

The Lions enter postseason play at 9-0. It is the first time in school history EMCC has won its first nine games in a season. It is also the first time in school history the Lions ran through a regular season undefeated. With two state playoff wins and a bowl triumph, EMCC would do one better than the school-record 11 wins achieved in 2009.

“You have to raise you play to another level,” Stephens said. “In the playoffs, everybody starts with a new slate. You have to play mistake-free ball to advance. I am not worried about the focus. Our kids have been waiting for this opportunity for a couple of weeks now.”

South Division runner-up Hinds finished 7-2 and 5-1 in the South Division. Hinds dropped a 35-26 decision last Saturday at Gulf Coast in a matchup for the division title.

Hinds, a regular state champion in the 1990s, is making its first postseason appearance since 2004.

“Credit to Hinds for an outstanding season this year,” Stephens said. “They play hard. They compete on both sides of the ball. Offensively, they have come a long way since the start of the season. You can see the improvement from week to week. I know their kids will be excited because it has been a long time for them (since making the playoffs).”

EMCC finished the regular season tops in the state in total offense (553.1 yards per game) and passing offense (383.9) and fifth in rushing offense (169.2). Hinds is fourth in total offense (401.4), fifth in passing offense (233.5), and fourth in rushing offense (171).

EMCC is ninth in the state in total defense (326.2 yards per game) and in passing defense (197.9) and eighth in rushing defense (128.3). Hinds is 11th in total defense (336.9), 13th in rushing defense (156.7), and last in passing defense (233.5).

EMCC quarterback Bo Wallace finished as the state’s leader with 3,388 passing yards and 35 touchdowns. Also the national leader in yardage and touchdowns, Wallace is hitting 67.4 percent of his passes (240 of 356) and has 12 interceptions.

EMCC running back Rodriguez Moore finished second in the state in rushing. He ran 132 times for 988 yards with six touchdowns. EMCC’s Lacoltan Bester finished fourth in receiving with 51 catches for 773 yards and 11 touchdowns.    

Scott was sports editor for The Dispatch.