PERKINSTON — De’Andre Johnson reminded everybody Thursday night he still knows how to play football.
Johnson threw for 224 yards and three touchdowns as No, 12 EMCC knocked off No. 17 Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College 45-7 before a capacity crowd at A.L. May Stadium.
“That was fun,” Johnson said. “You sometimes forget how much the game really means to you, until you get back out there and get to play again. I mean I really had a great time out there tonight. It’s good to be back.”
Johnson enrolled at Florida State in January 2015, four months before his scheduled high school graduation date. Johnson played in the FSU spring game in 2015 but was removed from the team during the summer following an off-the-field incident. In the fall of 2015, Johnson enrolled at EMCC, where he had to adhere to the team’s conduct code to earn full playing status for this season.
EMCC coach Buddy Stephens has been one of Johnson’s biggest fans during the comeback process. He liked what he saw Thursday night.
“There were a few things we have to clean up, but that was because he hasn’t been in a live game in so long,” Stephens said. “He was too quick to run when we had some run/pass options there, stuff like that. In the second half, it really started clicking. You saw his play elevate. That will continue.”
Once last season ended, Johnson assumed the leadership role for the team. EMCC sophomore running back Isaiah Wright knew big things were coming. Johnson and Wright connected three times, including a 14-yard touchdown to start the second half.
“De’Andre is really a great leader,” Wright said. “You could tell he was a little too excited when the game started. It had been a little while, so he really wanted to go out and prove some things. Once he slowed down a little bit and realized what all he had to work with, we started making some things happen.”
Of EMCC’s first five plays, two were turnovers by Johnson. He fumbled on the first possession and threw a bad-luck interception when two receivers collided on the offense’s next snap.
From there, things really took off. Johnson finished 21 of 34 and hit nine receivers. He showed flashes why many consider him the best junior college quarterback prospect in the nation this season.
After being banged up in third quarter, Johnson gave way to freshman quarterback Vijay Miller, who threw for a touchdown and ran for another on his team’s final two possessions.
EMCC scored on five second-half possessions to stretch a 14-7 halftime lead. The Lions had drives of 61, 80, and 78 yards in the second half.
“We have some things to work on, but I really like the attitude,” Johnson said. “Three turnovers is not good, but we played hard for four quarters. I think everybody has to be excited about what we can do on offense. We are going to keep working hard to make sure things get better each week.”
A balanced offensive attack included 273 passing yards and 203 rushing yards. There were the usual highlight plays, such as Wright high jumping over a defensive player to score a rushing touchdown and a one-handed touchdown grab by former Starkville High standout and Florida Atlantic transfer Raphael Leonard to convert a huge third down in the first half.
While Johnson didn’t play on last season’s team, he was still held out of the season opener since he was in attendance at Mississippi Delta C.C. on the night of a season-ending brawl. Returning players from last year’s team were suspended for a season-opening loss to Jones County Junior College.
EMCC dressed 32 players for the opener. Johnson and his teammates watched the game in Scooba.
“We learned so much about the new guys (who got to play in the opener),” Johnson said. “We saw fight and determination. I saw a group of guys I would love to go to battle with.”
Leonard also had a two-point conversion catch, while former Starkville High teammate Jacquez Horsley also had his first rushing touchdown of the season.
North Division dominance
If EMCC is going to climb back into the national championship discussion, Mississippi Association of Community and Junior Colleges (MACJC) North Division teams need to win early and often.
North Division teams have won nine of 14 games against the South Division in the first two weeks.
EMCC fell from No. 1 to No. 12 nationally after playing short-handed in the season-opening loss to JCJC. In late September, strength of schedule and computer rankings will be added into the ranking system.
EMCC has the good fortune of back-to-back undefeated opponents to open the North Division schedule. EMCC will play host to Northeast Mississippi C.C. next Thursday, before traveling to No. 11 Itawamba C.C. the following Thursday.
Ranked No. 15 this week, Jones also moved to 2-0 with a win over Mississippi Delta C.C.
Allen earns award
EMCC sophomore linebacker Dakota Allen, a transfer from Texas Tech, was named the MACJC Defensive Player of the Week for the opening week of the season.
Allen had 16 tackles and an interception in the 27-25 loss to Jones.
Follow Dispatch sports writer Scott Walters on Twitter @dispatchscott
Scott was sports editor for The Dispatch.
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