SCOOBA — East Mississippi Community College sophomore running back Jacquez Horsley felt a little giddy when he watched from Hinds C.C.’s rushing defense on tape this past week.
Horsley had high hopes. However, his performance Thursday night was even better than his dreams.
Horsley’s career-high 150 rushing yards and two touchdowns helped lead No. 3 EMCC to a 42-0 victory against Hinds C.C. in the Mississippi Association of Community and Junior Colleges (MACJC) regular-season finale for both teams at Sullivan-Windham Field.
“My goal is always to help the team win,” said Horsley, a former Starkville High School standout. “However, I am pretty excited about how this game went. We like to pass a lot here. Everybody knows that, so when you know going in the game plan is going to be a lot of run, you have to get excited.”
While EMCC’s up-tempo game plan on offense always has been pass heavy, the Lions always manage to have a marquee back. This year is slightly different.
Quarterback De’Andre Johnson, along with sophomores Isaiah Wright and Horsley have been the leaders. Freshmen Tyrell Price and Brieton Sykes have combined for 96 of the team’s 360 rushes.
Wright didn’t play last week in a 42-0 victory against Coahoma C.C. so he could rest for the team’s stretch run. Against Hinds, Wright only had two carries.
Overall, EMCC (8-1) ran 41 times for 342 yards, which is its second-best rushing game of the season.
“We have some options back there,” EMCC coach Buddy Stephens said. “We have four players who would be the No. 1 running back for most of the teams around the state. It has been a challenge making sure everybody stays involved.”
With a desire to re-tool the program’s image and to keep the margin of victory down, the running game has come into a clearer focus. The Lions also are thriving on a staple of Stephens’ system — 5-yard passes in the flats.
“I think the thing we can be most proud of is the balance,” Johnson said. “We have really worked hard at that. When you have a guy going the way (Horsley) was going, he needs to get touches. He needs to keep making things happen.”
Johnson threw for 179 yards and two touchdowns. Reserve quarterback Vijay Miller played some series early after the Lions had built a 14-0 advantage.
EMCC finished with 342 rushing yards and 246 passing yards. Nine players caught a pass, while eight had rushing attempts.
“The confidence level on the offense is real high,” Horsley said. “When you have a player like (Johnson) leading the way, then really anything is possible. We go into the huddle thinking we are invincible.”
EMCC has scored 42 or more points in every game in its current-eight game winning streak. The 42 points scored in each of the last two games are the low-water marks. The last two wins included a condensed fourth quarter due to the MACJC mercy rule.
EMCC has eight or more wins in eight of Stephens’ nine seasons as head coach.
“We are having a lot of fun,” said EMCC sophomore wide receiver Mario Lanier, who played at Aliceville High School. “The ball is just flying all over the field. We had some opportunities we didn’t cash in, but we know the way the defense is playing. They are going to keep getting us the ball.”
EMCC will play host to a MACJC state semifinal Nov. 5. The Lions hope the good offensive vibes can carry the team to two more wins and a return to the national championship game.
Horsley will continue to watch film so he will be able to do his part. It was his third 100-yard game at EMCC but first since Sept. 10, 2015, against Coahoma C.C. The two touchdowns scored happened for the second time in his career.
“That was fun,” Horsley said. “Hopefully, we can do it again.”
n Elsewhere in the MACJC on Thursday night, No. 5 Northwest Mississippi C.C. locked up the MACJC North Division No. 2 seed with a 48-6 victory against No. 10 Northeast Mississippi C.C. in Senatobia.
Northwest Mississippi, the reigning MACJC state champion, will travel for its first-round playoff game Nov. 5.
In the South Division, Jones Junior College upset No. 10 Mississippi Gulf Coast C.C. 28-14 in Ellisville.
If East Central C.C. beats Southwest Mississippi C.C. on Saturday in Summit, East Central will be the South No. 1 and play host to Northwest Mississippi, while Mississippi Gulf Coast will be the South No. 2 and travel to EMCC.
If Southwest Mississippi defeats East Central, a three-way tie for first place in the South Division will need to be broken to determine playoff pairings.
Follow Dispatch sports writer Scott Walters on Twitter @dispatchscott
Scott was sports editor for The Dispatch.
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