SCOOBA — Allenzae Staggers did a little of everything in his All-State career at Wilkinson County High School.
Even now, the East Mississippi Community College sophomore wide receiver is broadening his horizons.
Staggers earned Mississippi Association of Community and Junior Colleges Special Teams Player of the Week honors after returning two punts for touchdowns in EMCC’s 69-0 victory against Coahoma C.C. on Thursday night in Scooba.
It was his first action as a kick returner in a football game.
“I thought the coaches were a little bit crazy,” Staggers said. “Returning any kind of kicks was something new to me. I wasn’t excited at first. The more I thought about it the more I realized my team needed me. When you score points like we do, sometimes you forget about special teams. It was another chance to make plays, so after I got excited about it, I wanted to do something special.”
No. 7 EMCC will try for back-to-back MACJC North Division wins Thursday when it travels to Booneville to take on Northeast Mississippi C.C. at 6:30 p.m. at Tiger Stadium.
EMCC saw its 25-game, three-season winning streak snapped in a 31-24 overtime loss to No. 1 Copiah-Lincoln C.C. Three days later, the Lions were back at work getting ready for Coahoma. The results were pleasing.
“We were really humbled because this team isn’t used to losing,” Staggers said. “It was disappointing because we have should made more plays. We were inside the 10-yard line twice and didn’t score. Normally, that comes natural for us down there. I thought the attitude was really great at practice. We came out determined to start a new streak. You can’t let one game define your season. There is still a lot of pride left in us. Maybe being the underdog will help us. It’s new territory that is for sure.”
Last week, EMCC scored 56 first-half points, including a 35-yard punt return by Staggers to end the half. In the second half, Staggers ran another punt back 81 yards for the final score. He also had a 55-yard kick return in the first half.
“Never would have dreamed I could return two for touchdowns,” Staggers said. “The first one was pretty exciting because it ended the half. That was the only way were going to score there. Once I got that first block, I felt good about my chances. The second one I didn’t see coming. Again, some great blocking.
“Both last year and this year, we have been really good at special teams. I think that is why we are successful because we go that extra mile to make sure everything we do is done perfectly.”
Staggers has always prided himself in being successful. As a senior at Wilkinson County, Staggers had 75 receptions for 1,406 yards and 13 touchdowns and rushed for 195 yards and another touchdown. The team finished 11-4 and advanced to the Mississippi High School Activities Association Class 3A North State championship game.
“When you looked at the highlights of Allenzae in high school, you saw a big-time playmaker,” EMCC offensive coordinator Marcus Wood said. “In our offense, we try to find as many touches as possible for the fastest players. Allenzae works hard every day in practice.
“He is hard for other teams to defense. His speed and his ability to think on the field really sets him apart. With so many young players on the team this season, his leadership has been vital as well. He has really grown and matured as both a player and as a leader.”
As a sophomore, Staggers doesn’t take his role as a team leader lightly. He appreciates the players from last season’s team who helped him grow and develop.
“The expectations are so high for this program that it can be a challenge to fit in initially,” Staggers said. “After you go out and make some plays, it gets easier. The thing about our offense is so many players gets touches. The biggest thing is the chemistry between the quarterbacks and receivers.
“That is something that this team has had to work hard on. We are getting there. We have a long way to go before we are a finished product, so the main thing is consistent improvement.”
EMCC (2-1, 1-0 division) will look to continue that improvement against Northeast (0-3, 0-1). The Lions have won 13-straight division games. The hunt for a third straight National Junior College Athletic Association national championship is alive, but the Lions will have to travel the long way. EMCC will need to defeat fellow top-10 foe Northwest Mississippi C.C. in division play and Co-Lin in a repeat of last season’s MACJC state championship game to have a realistic chance.
“There is a lot of football left to be played,” Staggers said. “Our goal is to be 1-0 each week. If we can do that for the rest of the season, we at least give ourselves a chance.”
Follow Dispatch sports writer Scott Walters on Twitter @dispatchscott
Scott was sports editor for The Dispatch.
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