SCOOBA — William Jones was a happy man Thursday night.
The fifth-year East Mississippi Community College associate head coach and defensive coordinator has a burning desire for shutouts. Jones got his wish Thursday in No. 4 EMCC’s 56-0 victory against Mississippi Delta Community College in a MACJC North Division game at Sullivan-Windham Field.
“I thought we just had one heck of a night,” Jones said. “I am really proud of this unit and the direction they are headed in.”
The shutout was the Jones’ third at EMCC and the first this season. The Lions (4-0, 1-0 North Division) have allowed 28 points this season. While winning the national championship last season, the Lions allowed less than 17 points only three times. This season, they have done that in every game.
“The speed on this team is amazing,” said EMCC sophomore linebacker Corey Williams, of Noxubee County High School. “I have never been a part of any team that was this fast. It’s like one of us will chase the quarterback or go after a ball carrier and there are already some of our teammates there.
“I think overall team speed is the deciding factor. That is what separates us from the other teams in the state.”
Mississippi Delta had 173 yards of total offense and worked inside the red zone once. EMCC sophomore defensive back Shaquille Fluker had an interception, which gives the Lions 12 takeaways this season. Justin Cox had another couple of pass breakups, while Christian Russell, Quinn McClendon, Za’Darius Smith, Ricky Holt, and Lauren Jackson made life miserable for quarterback Justin Leavy.
“A lot of people get caught up in fast pace offense that we run,” Jones said. “We approach the defensive side of the ball with the same intensity. It is the same hustle, desire and mentality. When offensive players see defensive players going about their business in the same manner and vice versa, that is what makes this a special team.”
Eight of Delta’s 54 offensive players went for negative yards. The Lions also had a hand in 12 incompletions, plus the interception.
“When the season started, we had more new guys on offense,” Cox said. “As a defensive unit, we took us on ourselves to be great and to be the leaders. Each week, the goal is a shutout. That is what we play for. We try to deny the opponent on every single possession.”
While allowing one touchdown against East Central C.C. (51-7) and Southwest Mississippi C.C. (59-6), the Lions held a shutout in each game until the final quarter. An interception set ECCC up for a 9-yard scoring drive. Southwest mounted a 50-yard scoring drive midway through the fourth quarter with the contest no longer in doubt.
Smith, who recorded his team-best third sack of the season, put it into words best.
“A shutout means we don’t have to run,” Smith said. “I think that is the most important thing that happened on this field tonight.”
Keeping the ball
EMCC played its second turnover-free game of the season. A year ago, EMCC only had one such game. The Lions have committed four turnovers this season (three being interceptions, one fumble).
“I think people get caught up in the numbers and do not realize how good our offensive execution has been,” EMCC coach Buddy Stephens said. “When you go no huddle and work at the pace we do, mistakes can happen. Last year, we had to practically beg for the team to not turn the ball over.”
Notes
EMCC has won 16 straight games, 16 straight regular-season games, and nine straight North Division games. The Lions are 4-1 in division openers under Stephens, and have won five straight against the Trojans for the first time. … With his 233 passing yards Thursday night, freshman quarterback Quez Johnson surpassed 1,000 yards. The former Starkville High standout has thrown 12 touchdowns with only two interceptions. Johnson also scored his second and third rushing touchdowns in the victory. … Former Southeast Lauderdale High standout LeDarious Clark scored his first career rushing touchdown in the third quarter on a 1-yard run. Former West Point standout Lakenderic Thomas also added his first rushing score, after registering his first receiving touchdown in last week’s win at Southwest. … In the fourth quarter, backup quarterback Dontreal Pruitt found fellow freshman Justin Mack for an 18-yard scoring strike. Pruitt’s fourth passing touchdown and Mack’s first receiving score wasn’t an abnormality. The duo hooked up on multiple occasions last season as standouts on the South Mississippi Class 4A champion Laurel High School football team.
Scott was sports editor for The Dispatch.
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