SCOOBA — In a strange twist of fate Saturday afternoon, the third-ranked East Mississippi Community College football team turned to its defense to win a playoff game.
With the high-octane offense struggling to complete drives, the defense took center stage and helped preserve a 27-24 victory against Mississippi Gulf Coast C.C. in a Mississippi Association of Community and Junior Colleges (MACJC) semifinal game before an overflow crowd at Sullivan-Windham Field.
EMCC (9-1) will play for its fifth state championship in nine seasons at 2 p.m. Saturday when No. 4 Northwest Mississippi C.C. (9-1) comes to Scooba. EMCC won a regular-season meeting, 51-32.
“Earlier in the year, we weren’t doing our part,” EMCC sophomore defensive lineman Ezekiel Rose said. “We weren’t the defense that people know and love around here. It’s great to finally be out there making winning plays again. That is how you win championship.”
EMCC erased a 24-17 deficit with a 32-yard field goal by Taylor Crabtree in the first minute of the fourth quarter and a 7-yard touchdown run by Vijay Miller with 9 minutes, 2 seconds remaining. A 31-yard pass from De’Andre Johnson to Damion Wills on third-and-8 set up the score.
After that, the defense did its part.
Sophomore defensive back Brian Cole, a transfer from Michigan, block a punt. The Lions returned the block for a score, but it was brought back by penalty.
“I really studied the first three or four punts and felt like I could get back there,” Cole said. “The game was going back-and-forth, and that kind of helped us put our stamp on it. Coaches talk all the time about special teams and making those extra plays in a game. They have won a lot of games around here by making those extra plays.”
Mississippi Gulf Coast (5-5) then had one final possession. However, Rose stripped quarterback Larry Sisson. Dakota Allen had the recovery. A celebration of the school’s first postseason win since 2014 followed.
“We just wanted to put a lot pressure on the quarterback,” Rose said. “We have done a good job of that the last three or four games. We have got good speed, so if we can get in the backfield, we can disrupt some things.”
Rose also had a stop on fourth-and-goal at the EMCC 1-yard line in the first quarter to preserve a 7-0 lead.
“The goal-line stop was huge because it set the tone,” Rose said. “It showed we weren’t going to be pushed around. When all the other team needs is a yard and you don’t let it happen, that’s a great feeling. Really it was just a good way to start things off.”
EMCC’s defense struggled earlier in the season. Even though the Lions were winning games and climbing in the national rankings, defensive players knew they would have to play a lot better to win championships.
“The linebackers have been great all year,” Cole said. “It was on us, the (defensive backs). We had to play better. We weren’t holding up our end of the deal. It just goes back to hard work. We have communicated a lot better. We have so many great guys on this team. There is no reason we can’t play better. When we do our part, nobody can hold us.”
Johnson was 16 of 32 for 235 yards with touchdown passes to Shannon (29 yards) and Calvin Keys (39 yards). Shannon had six receptions for 75 yards. The Lions’ ground game was held in check. Neither Isaiah Wright nor Jacquez Horsley broke 30 yards.
“The offense sputtered all afternoon,” EMCC coach Buddy Stephens said. “Sometimes you aren’t at your best. The defense played lights out. For the last month, it has been like a totally different unit. They have been playing a special brand of football. Today, they had our backs and bailed us out.
“We couldn’t finish drives. That is rare. That is why every defensive stop was critical.”
After being banned from the MACJC playoffs a season ago, this year’s postseason wasn’t to be taken lightly.
“The preparation is really what sets us apart,” Rose said. “When other teams are going out or sleeping in their room, we are watching film. It may be 10 or 11 o’clock at night and we have guys getting together and watching film. We are the hardest-working team, but we are also the most prepared team.
“In Scooba, it’s all about going to class and football. We work hard at being champions. Fortunately, the defense has put it all together at the right time. Now, we need one more win and we have another championship.”
Follow Dispatch sports writer Scott Walters on Twitter @dispatchscott
Scott was sports editor for The Dispatch.
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