SCOOBA — West Point native Justin Cox knows a thing or two about winning state championships.
Cox played on each of the past two Class 5A state championship teams at West Point High School. On Saturday, Cox and his defensive teammates were hard at work for the No. 2 East Mississippi Community College football team.
On a day when the offense needed a lift, the defense played brilliantly in a 42-17 victory against No. 5 Mississippi Gulf Coast C.C. in the MACJC state championship game at Sullivan-Windham Field.
“It was for the championship, so we had to bring it today,” Cox said. “As a team, we wanted to play harder than we had all year. For some guys, this is their first championship. Even if you have done this before, it is still very special.”
The recent MGCCC-EMCC contests have been high-scoring, roller-coaster rides. In 2009, EMCC beat Gulf Coast 75-71 in the state championship game. Earlier this year, EMCC earned a 34-30 victory at home.
On Saturday, EMCC’s defense wanted no part of watching the other team kick off every 10 minutes.
“We have stayed together as a unit, and that is the main reason we are successful,” West Point native and EMCC sophomore defensive back Jeremy Cannon said. “We are not a unit that wants all the credit. Our job is to go out and make plays and get the ball back for our offense.”
Consider that mission accomplished.
The Lions forced six turnovers, including three interceptions by Cox, in the season-opening win against the Bulldogs. In the state final, the Lions had a plus-two turnover advantage. Cox had a fumble recovery and Cannon had a 49-yard interception return for touchdown.
Cox’s fumble recovery came with EMCC clinging to a 21-17 fourth-quarter lead. The interception return for a touchdown provided the final points and led to EMCC coach Buddy Stephens getting doused by Gatorade.
“I knew I had to take that one to the house,” Cannon said. “If that happened then the celebration was really going to be on.”
A story of the game was the strong play of EMCC’s defense through three quarters. While the Lions searched for some offense, the defense stood tall and stole the Sullivan-Windham Field limelight.
MGCCC ran 47 plays in the first half but only led 10-7.
“We had to keep competing, we had to keep fighting,” said Cannon, who has each of EMCC’s two defensive touchdowns this season. “Our offense can score instantly from anywhere on the field. Our job was to keep giving the fans hope. We knew the game could turn instantly.”
Thanks to the domination in time of possession, the Bulldogs only had five first-half possessions. Two drives ended with punts, while one ended with a touchdown and another with a field goal. MGCCC tried to build the lead as the half expired, but a 16-play march resulted in a missed field goal.
MGCCC had 192 first-half yards and different 16-play drives.
“The defensive effort was outstanding,” Stephens said. “We have the quick-strike capabilities, so we hope it’s a matter of time. I thought our kids were really locked in and focused. Usually in this series, it is back-to-back scores. Today, it was back-to-back punts. Our defense gave us a chance.”
Whether it was one of Damien Jacobs’ three tackles for loss or one of Denico Autry’s two sacks, the defense was there. Whether it was a forced fumble by Shaquille Fluker or one of a couple of dandy pass breakups by Michael Pack, the defense was there.
In its two playoff wins, EMCC has outscored its opposition, 63-7 in the second half.
“I guess we are a second-half team,” EMCC sophomore wide receiver Lacoltan Bester said. “Whatever it takes to be champions. The credit today goes to our defense. They were patient with us.”
MGCCC scored on the first possession of the second half. The Lions then allowed 57 yards in the final 26 minutes, 8 seconds.
After Bester caught his third touchdown, the Lions led 21-17. On this day, it took a little longer than usual, but there was no way the defense wasn’t going to make that lead stand.
Scott was sports editor for The Dispatch.
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