SCOOBA — Freshman Duke Upshaw wanted more after he had his first taste of action for the East Mississippi Community College football team.
However, he knew patience and his belief in God would help make that possible.
As the former Baldwyn High School standout has blossomed, so has the EMCC defense.
Upshaw had an interception and fumble recovery Thursday night in No. 3 EMCC’s 42-0 victory against Hinds C.C. in the Mississippi Association of Community and Junior Colleges (MACJC) regular-season finale for each team at Sullivan-Windham Field.
“If you saw me make those plays that was because God was in me,” Upshaw said. “He was playing through me. This has just been an unbelievable opportunity. I am eternally grateful for it. God has put me here for a reason. The ability to play this game and make those plays is possible through Him.”
EMCC won its eighth-straight game with a second-straight shutout. The victory helped the Lions remain in the national championship race with three more regular-season rankings scheduled to be released.
EMCC won the MACJC North Division championship a week ago and will play host to the South Division runner-up in the MACJC semifinals Nov. 5.
“It was really important we send a message the defense was ready to play,” EMCC sophomore defensive lineman Chauncey Rivers said. “We really know what our unit is capable of doing. They have been some tough games, but we never quit believing in what we were doing. Going into the playoffs, we have a lot of confidence. It’s like a different team and mind-set.”
EMCC has recorded 19 shutouts in Buddy Stephens’ nine seasons as head coach. The last four squads prior to this one had a minimum of two shutouts in the campaign.
This season, the challenge has been greater. The streak has included a 44-42 victory against Itawamba C.C. and a 63-49 victory against Holmes C.C.
Despite the elation of winning, many defensive players walked off the field on those nights with long faces. On Thursday, there were plenty of smiles, high-fives, and hugs.
“You can only ride the kids so long,” Stephens said. “We just needed that buy-in. We needed the defense to want to create its identity. If there is anything this team is missing, it is swag. We really need some swag. The teams in the past had it. It really helps you get over the top. The defense is taking the right steps.”
EMCC took that kickoff and drove 71 yards on eight plays for a De’Andre Johnson to Mario Lanier 25-yard touchdown pass.
Hinds C.C. (2-7) didn’t move the football into the red zone in the game.
“We were simply giving up too many big plays earlier in the season,” EMCC sophomore linebacker Diamante Pounds said. “We just had to turn that around. Once we got a couple of big three-and-outs (against Northwest Mississippi C.C.), it really changed our season.”
While Northwest scored 32 points in a 51-32 defeat, the EMCC defense was dominant in the first half and set the tone. The two shutouts have followed.
“I am really proud of how far we have come,” Upshaw said. “It took a little while, and I think everybody will admit that. The biggest thing has been getting pressure on the quarterback. Our front is exceptional. We were having a lot of trouble getting back to the quarterback earlier in the season.
“Now, we are back there, all of the time. That kind of helps set the tone. When you get a few sacks and you have (sophomore defensive end Chauncey Rivers) batting down passes, it can get frustrating. Being chased by (linebacker Dakota Allen) is not fun, either.”
Allen, a transfer from Texas Tech, leads the MACJC in tackles. His strip led to a fumble recovery by Pounds. EMCC’s other two takeaways belonged to Upshaw, who intercepted a pass thrown by quarterback JP Elkins under duress by Allen and Rivers and recovered a fumbled fair-catch attempt on a kickoff.
“We kind of have that spark,” Allen said. “Everybody is doing the right thing at the same time. I don’t think you would recognize the defense if you saw it earlier in the season. The whole season you point toward the playoffs. We wanted to be at our best at this time.”
EMCC cranked out 342 rushing yards and led 28-0 at halftime. Former Starkville standout Jacquez Horsley ran for 150 yards and two scores.
EMCC has scored 42 or more points in every game in the winning steak. The ability to win by a larger margin in each of the last two games was hampered by the mercy rule.
“We are at a good place,” Stephens said. “We are there at the right time, too.”
The offense and defense will need to remain hot together to help EMCC complete the climb to the top of the junior college world for the third time in four seasons. Johnson threw for 179 yards and two touchdowns and figures to continue to do his part.
“(Johnson) is an incredible player,” Upshaw said. “God has blessed me. To be able to play with these guys and to get turnovers and to help my team get a shutout is great. Then when we aren’t on the field, we get to watch that man play quarterback. It’s special.”
Follow Dispatch sports writer Scott Walters on Twitter @dispatchscott
Scott was sports editor for The Dispatch.
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