DECATUR — After a 54-13 victory against Mississippi Delta Community College, East Mississippi C.C. football coach Buddy Stephens lamented his high-octane offense managing only 57 plays.
In that victory, the Lions had 419 yards. Three non-offensive touchdowns and a running clock at the end cut the number of plays down substantially.
On Thursday, No. 1 EMCC was back in its comfort zone with 85 plays in a 24-21 win over No. 20 East Central C.C. at Bailey Stadium.
Josh Smith kicked a 19-yard field goal with four seconds remaining to give EMCC its first regular-season victory by three points or less since a 44-42 victory against Itawamba C.C. on Sept. 22, 2016.
Despite the extra plays, EMCC finished with a season-low 383 yards of offense (4.5 yards per play).
EMCC was held below 50 points for the first time this season. The Lions had scored 50 or more points in four-straight games for the first time since 2014.
A plus on the offensive ledger was the performance of Deon McIntosh, who had 31 carries for 177 yards and a touchdown.
It was EMCC’s first 100-yard rushing game by a running back since Tyrell Price ran for 112 yards in a 24-20 playoff win against Jones County Junior College on Nov. 4, 2017. Lindsey Scott Jr. ran for 104 yards a week later in a playoff victory against Northwest Mississippi C.C.
Miller injury
EMCC starting quarterback Vijay Miller was injured on his team’s final offensive play in the first quarter. Being tackled while going out of bounds, Miller was hurt on a third down play and didn’t return to action. He watched the rest of the game in street clothes and on crutches.
Coach Buddy Stephens said Miller’s injury would be further evaluated Friday.
In relief, Messiah deWeaver was 20-for-30 for 152 yards.
For the season, Miller has drawn three starts, while deWeaver has started twice.
Local flavor
The East Central C.C. roster included three players with Golden Triangle ties.
Former Starkville Academy standout Torin Hamilton caught a 28-yard game-tying touchdown in the fourth quarter. A freshman tight end, the scoring play was the only catch for Hamilton.
Place-kicker Sam Cox is also a freshman from Starkville Academy. Cox had two extra-point misses and another try blocked. He hit a 25-yard field goal and later had a 30-yard try blocked.
Former Noxubee County standout Myles Smith, a freshman defensive lineman, had two tackles, a sack and a pass breakup.
This and that
EMCC Improved to 5-0 for the second-straight season and sixth time under Buddy Stephens (2011-14, 2017-18) … The Lions have won 10-straight games against MACJC South Division competition … EMCC trailed at halftime (15-14) for the first time since trailing 27-17 at Northwest Mississippi C.C. in the regular season a year ago (nine-straight games) … EMCC forced one turnover (Jacob Anderson interception).
Around the state
Austin Watkins caught a 13-yard touchdown pass from Clark Mills in the second overtime Thursday night to lift Itawamba C.C. to a 37-31 victory against Northeast Mississippi C.C. in Booneville.
ICC (3-2, 2-1 Mississippi Association of Community and Junior Colleges) rallied for 14 points in the final 7 minutes, 23 seconds in regulation. De’Sean Dinkins scored on a 3-yard run and Cedric Bradford caught a 29-yard touchdown pass from Mills.
Former Caledonia High School standout Jamel Thomas caught a 42-yard touchdown pass from Mills to open the scoring for the Indians.
Former Caledonia High standout Caleb Comer kicked four extra points. He also kicked a 29-yard field goal in the second quarter.
Northeast Mississippi C.C. slipped to 1-4 and 1-2.
Tylan Morton was 16-for-31 for 240 yards and three touchdowns Thursday night to lead Hinds C.C. to a 28-18 victory against Pearl River C.C.
Former Mississippi State player Reggie Todd had all three touchdowns as part of his five-catch, 144-yard evening.
Don Ragsdale also had 22 carries for 71 yards and a touchdown for Hinds (3-2, 2-1).
No. 9 Jones County Junior College used a 28-point second quarter Thursday night to build a lead en route to a 51-21 victory against Southwest Mississippi C.C.
Natorian Watts scored on a 5-yard run to open the scoring for the Bobcats (4-1, 3-0 MACJC South).
Zarious Keyes capped a four-play, 70-yard march with a 3-yard scamper for the Bears (1-4, 0-3).
Copiah-Lincoln C.C. capitalized on three turnovers and more than a dozen penalties Thursday night to surprise No. 14 Mississippi Gulf Coast 38-13 in Perkinston.
Mississippi Gulf Coast C.C. (3-2, 2-2 MACJC South) lost its second-straight game, while Copiah-Lincoln C.C. improved to 3-2 and 2-0.
Follow Dispatch sports writer Scott Walters on Twitter @dispatchscott
Scott was sports editor for The Dispatch.
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