SCOOBA – East Mississippi Community College sophomore wide receiver Billy Shed does not get to watch the offense when he is on the playing surface.
A few days later, the former Starkville High School standout does get to watch his unit on film. That is when he is really impressed by what he sees.
“We really are a fun team to watch,” Shed said. “It is all about chemistry and timing. When we get those two things right in game, our offense is pretty impressive. Sometimes, I watch and I am amazed at some of the things we can do.”
Shed and his teammates have had lot of a fun at EMCC. In his two seasons, the Lions are yet to lose a game. The 14-game, two-season win streak is back on the line Thursday when the nation’s top-ranked team travels to play Southwest Mississippi Community College.
Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. Thursday at John I. Hurst Stadium in Summit.
“Our offensive philosophy sounds simple,” Shed said. “The quarterback is supposed to take the snap and unload quickly. On most plays, there are five different options. As a receiver, the pressure is on us. Yards after the catch are extremely important in our offensive philosophy.”
Shed has been gaining those yards so far this season. In two games, the 5-foot-10, 170-pound receiver has eight catches for 93 yards, with two touchdowns. Only Grand Rapids Community College transfer Corey Smith has more catches this season, with nine.
“On each possession, our goal is to score in two minutes or less,” EMCC freshman quarterback Dontreal Pruitt said. “Not only do you have to have a quarterback who moves the chains, you have to have several receivers who can make big-time plays. What I realized at the first couple of practices was that we had several receivers who can make plays.
“There is no one I wouldn’t throw, too. There is no one I don’t think could make a big play when the game was on the line. You see players such as Billy, and you see how hard he works and you want him to get the ball. You know he can make plays to help the team win.”
The Lions racked up 529 yards of total offense in last Thursday’s 51-7 win at East Central Community College. Sophomore quarterback Quez Johnson, the EMCC starter, has made steady improvement after returning from a shoulder injury in 2010.
“Quez is better than what he was before,” said Shed, who played high school ball with Johnson at Starkville High. “You can tell he is making good decisions. He is throwing the ball where it needs to be. I can’t wait to see him play against some of the better teams in the state.”
Johnson and Pruitt have combined for 569 yards passing and six touchdowns, against two interceptions. A staple of Buddy Stephens’ offense is balance. A total of 10 Lions have at least one pass reception this season.
“Billy has emerged as one on of our go-to receivers this season,” Stephens said. “He really established himself during the off-season. A lot of freshmen need a little time to adjust to playing on this level. Billy stepped up right away last season. He played with a tremendous amount of confidence.
“Then you saw him step up even more prior to this season. He knew the hard work was just beginning.”
Shed said the Lions worked even harder during the off-season. EMCC set a school record with 12 victories last season, including the program’s first national championship.
“We have been working real hard,” Shed said. “We know that people are going to be after us. We aren’t letting that get to us. We have a whole new set of goals. We plan on going out, playing hard and doing what we do.”
Quarterback Bo Wallace led the high-octane EMCC offense last season. Wallace threw for 4,671 yards and paced an offense, which scored a total of 76 touchdowns. Shed had five receptions for 28 yards and one touchdown.
“People will be coming after us based on what we did last year,” Shed said. “But they are coming after the wrong team because that team is gone. Winning the national championship motivated us in ways I didn’t think possible.”
Now as Johnson becomes more familiar with the junior college game and his arm strength increases, the Lions expect their offensive numbers to improve, too. Shed feels fortunate to be along for the ride.
“We really never had an off-season because we kept working from the first day after last season ended,” Shed said. “I knew when this season started; I had to play my role. Whenever it is time for me to step up, I need to step up. That makes this team so successful.
“We have a lot of players who play their role to perfection. When everybody does their part, we are fun to watch. Our goal is to be fun to watch for the whole season.”
Scott was sports editor for The Dispatch.
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