Georgia Military College has taken a unique approach to becoming one of two undefeated teams left in junior college football.
In an age of spread-it-out football, the Bulldogs run the ball, and they do it quite well.
Top-ranked GMC (11-0) will showcase that ground attack at 2 p.m. Sunday when it takes on No. 2 East Mississippi Community College (11-0) for the National Junior College Athletic Association national championship in the Mississippi Bowl at Biloxi High School.
“When you play the Mississippi State champions, you know you are playing one of the best teams in the nation,” GMC coach Bert Williams said. “I hope the fans look forward to what is a great matchup between two really strong football programs.
“There is no doubt that it is a contrast in styles. It will be exciting to see who is more successful at what they are trying to do.”
Williams joined the GMC staff as an offensive coordinator and assistant head coach in 1997. He moved into the top spot a couple of years later. The Bulldogs won the school’s lone NJCAA national championship in football in 2001. GMC was the national runner-up in 2002 and 2005.
“It feels great to be in this position again,” GMC freshman running back Jovon Robinson said. “The program has had a lot of success, so it feels good to be able to play a part in that. This team is really close. We have worked really hard from the beginning of the season.”
Robinson is second in the nation in rush attempts (238) and first in yards (2,149), yards per game (195.4), and touchdowns (31). The Bulldogs are averaging 293.5 yards rushing per game. The team’s rushing total (3,228 yards) is 400 more yards than any other team in the nation.
“Jovon is a special talent,” Williams said. “However, we tried to stay within ourselves and we do what our system calls for. We have been able to stay healthy on the offensive line, and that has been a big key. Our game plan is to control the clock and limit the mistakes.
“That is a big key in junior college football. Most teams have some really talented offensive players, so the challenge is to take advantage of your scoring opportunities. We know how important that will be Sunday.”
While EMCC’s smallest margin of victory has been 17 points this season, GMC has had a few closer scares. After three blowout wins, GMC beat ASA College 22-15 in a top-10 showdown in Morgantown, WV. Two weeks later, GMC beat Iowa Western College 48-38 at home.
For the season, GMC is fourth in the nation with an average of 46.5 points per game. EMCC leads the nation with an average of 63.2 ppg.
“I think we have an advantage in playing in some tight games this year,” said Robinson, who played at Wooddale High School in Memphis, Tenn. “It is good to know you have been tested and you have made plays to win some games. We did a lot of traveling this year, and I think the team really grew together. We have a lot of confidence in what we are doing.
“Pretty much each week, we have taken our opponents seriously and have come ready to play. We are looking forward to this opportunity.”
With limited scheduling options in the state of Georgia, GMC has played all over the country, so traveling to a big-time environment shouldn’t be a major concern. The travel has included a trip to Mississippi already.
GMC opened the season with a 37-21 victory against Blinn College at Mississippi Gulf Coast C.C. in Perkinston. MGCCC will serve as host for Sunday’s game.
“Mississippi junior college football is really good, so this is a great opportunity for our program,” Williams said. “We have already had some success in this state, so hopefully that is a trend. (EMCC coach) Buddy (Stephens) had made his program a major force in the state.
“The administration has stepped up and done the things they need to do to help the program have success. When you have everything in place like that, it makes for a great opportunity for the student-athletes.”
Redshirt freshman quarterback Pat Thomas has completed 54.7 percent of his passes for 1,601 yards, with 17 touchdowns and five interceptions. Reserve quarterback Emanuel Byrd has appeared in eight games and is also a freshman.
Sophomore Akeem Judd is second on the team with 557 rushing yards and four touchdowns.
Sophomore linebacker St. Pierre Anilus and freshman linebacker Alonzo McGee lead the way with 42 tackles apiece. The Bulldogs allowed 17.5 point per game on defense.
“We may have been a little ahead of the curve this season because we have had major contributions from so many first-year players,” Williams said. “Much like with EMCC, it helps when your quarterback has been in the system for a couple of years.”
Last season, GMC finished 7-4. It is back in the postseason for the first time since 2008 when it lost to Gulf Coast 41-7 in the first Mississippi Bowl.
“It has taken a lot of hard work to get to this point,” Robinson said. “Every team begins the season wanting to go undefeated. When you do that and get to this point, you feel blessed.”
Follow Scott Walters on Twitter @dispatchscott.
Scott was sports editor for The Dispatch.
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