SCOOBA — With No. 5 East Mississippi Community College’s up-tempo game plan designed to run as many plays as possible, a talented freshman needs to wait his turn.
For former Columbus High School standout Quan Latham, that opportunity came Thursday night.
Seeing his first extensive playing time at EMCC, Latham had an interception that helped cap a monster defensive effort in a 59-0 victory against East Central C.C. at Sullivan-Windham Field.
“For our defense, it is all about timing,” said Latham, a freshman cornerback. “We are asked to do everything we can as hard as we can and as fast as we can. Playing in this defense is fun because everybody can make plays. You just have to be ready when your number is called.”
EMCC held ECCC to 73 yards, the lowest total allowed in Buddy Stephens’ six seasons as coach. The Lions had four takeaways — an 18-yard fumble return touchdown by Christian Russell, two interceptions by Allen Sentimore, and the theft by Latham.
“What gives this team a chance to be special is the defense,” Latham said. “We play with a higher motor than a lot of other teams. A lot of defenses have the bend-don’t-break mentality. We go out there wanting the shut out and fighting hard for everything.”
EMCC has four takeaways in each of its two victories this season. The 2011 national championship team didn’t have a defensive touchdown in the regular season, while this squad has one in each of the first two games. The eight combined takeaways have happened one other time.
ECCC had only 49 offensive snaps, with only 21 of them netting an offensive gain. Jimmie Gipson had three consecutive tackles for loss to stop one drive. A sack by D.J. Pettway resulted in a 13-yard loss another time. Fenest Armstrong also had a highlight-reel pass breakup.
The Lions have allowed opponents to complete only eight passes.
Offensive numbers
EMCC had 600 yards (301 rushing, 299 passing) in the victory. Still, the Lions turned the ball over three times and committed seven penalties, two of which thwarted potential scoring drives.
“You want balance. Balance is your friend,” Stephens said. “East Central dared us to throw the ball, so we ran it right at them. However, penalties cost us scores. You can’t have that.”
The Lions have had 600 or more yards 12 times under Stephens.
Quarterback Dontreal Pruitt was 15 of 23 with two touchdowns and one interception on a tipped ball. After throwing to eight receivers in a season-opening victory against Pearl River C.C., Pruitt and Todd Mays hit 10 receivers Thursday night.
The six passing touchdowns by Pruitt matches the most through two games under Stephens.
“There is still a lot of room for improvement,” Pruitt said. “You are happy, but, at the same time, we know what we have to do to be a championship team.”
After Stephens pointed out some of the negative aspects of the latest victory, he was told Pruitt had similar thoughts.
“That is what separates this team from the others in the league,” Stephens said. “We have leadership. They know what we have to get done for us to get where we want to go.”
Notes
EMCC is 11-1 at new Sullivan-Windham Field. … The Lions have won nine straight regular season games against the South Division. … EMCC has six shutouts under Stephens. … EMCC is 2-0 for the fourth time in Stephens’ six seasons. … The 55-man roster for East Central’s first-year coach Ken Karcher has 44 freshmen. … EMCC will play host to Southwest Mississippi C.C. at 7 p.m. Thursday. SMCC (1-1) lost to Itawamba C.C. 40-6 on Thursday night.
Follow Scott Walters on Twitter @dispatchscott.
Scott was sports editor for The Dispatch.
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