SCOOBA — East Mississippi Community College sophomore offensive lineman Brandon Hodges flashes a big smile when asked about his offensive teammates.
“It’s really scary what all we can do,” said Hodges, who prepped at Aberdeen High School. “Sometimes, we get caught up doing our jobs and we really don’t appreciate how good the offense is.”
Still, Hodges know the importance of his role and the other four starters on the offensive line.
EMCC is third in the nation with a scoring average of 61.5 points per game. Strong line play is an integral part of that success.
The offense will be back on display Thursday night when top-ranked EMCC faces arch-rival Itawamba Community College.
Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. at Eaton Field in Fulton.
“We are excited about being 4-0 but it is always about the big picture here,” Hodges said. “We know each week is another step toward the goal of a championship. We work hard in practice and then on game nights, our goal is to be 1-0. Whatever it takes to get the win on that night is what we are trying to do.”
Quarterback Chad Kelly is fitting in nicely with the Lions. Through four games, Kelly has completed better than 68 percent of his passes and thrown for 15 touchdowns.
“Chad has really established himself as the team leader,” Hodges said. “Sometimes, it is hard when you are new and around a bunch of guys for the first time.
“However, you could tell after the first couple of practices, he was going to fit in well here.”
Hodges joins fellow sophomores Chris Berry, Jacob Feeley, Jamal Danley and freshman James Davis on the line.
Danley is considered one of the nation’s top offensive lineman prospects.
“The big thing is communication,” Hodges said. “It is really important that we have a feel for one another and that we work well together as a group.”
The mammoth EMCC line is in charge of blocking but also in charge of opening the holes for sophomores Preston Baker and freshman D.J. Law, as well as sophomore do-it-all man Todd Mays.
“The biggest challenge is the speed of the game, because we do everything so fast,” Hodges said. “Even the linemen have to be in shape around here. Because we go, go, go.
“That is why the offense works at such a high level. Few teams can match the speed that we have.”
EMCC actually retuns to the site of its last regular season loss.
EMCC had won 20 straight games and saw the defense of its 2011 National Junior College Athletic Association national championship fall apart with a last-second 24-23 loss to Itawamba.
This season, EMCC will carry a 16-game win streak into the contest. Once again, the Lions are attempting to defend a national champsionship.
“Even though we know we are on a win streak, we don’t take anything for granted,” Hodges said. “This team is extremely focused. We cherish each opportunity we get to play the game.”
Follow Scott Walters on Twitter @dispatchscott
Scott was sports editor for The Dispatch.
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