PERKINSTON — The East Mississippi Community College football team only had one thing it could control Sunday.
No. 3 EMCC took care of its business Sunday with a 27-17 victory against No. 13 Kilgore (Texas) College 27-17 in the Mississippi Bowl on a blustery, overcast, damp Sunday afternoon at Mississippi Gulf Coast C.C.’s A.L. May Stadium.
The victory helped EMCC win its fourth Mississippi Bowl and likely secured it a No. 2 ranking when the final National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) poll is released today.
“We feel like we are the best junior college team in the nation,” EMCC sophomore wide receiver Raphael Leonard said. “We feel like we should have won the (national) championship. However, the coaches always preach to us to control what we can control. The only thing we could control today was going out with a win.
“We had that business-type mind-set. We wanted to send a statement. The sophomores wanted to go out with a bowl win. That was the only objective.”
EMCC won its final 11 games to finish 11-1. The season-opening 27-25 loss to Jones Junior College most likely cost the team its third national title in four seasons. The Lions finish with 11 or more wins for the fifth time in Buddy Stephens’ nine seasons as head coach.
A regular-season-ending brawl in a win over Mississippi Delta C.C. could have cost the squad a chance to play for the 2015 national championship. The sophomores had to make the most of the national championship void by going out with a state title and bowl win this season.
“The sophomores learned a lot,” Stephens said. “They were really put through a lot. They were run through the ringer but came out champions. This was far from our best game. However, it was a bowl win. It was a much better ending than we had last season. The kids can take pride they are going out on top.”
The Lions built a 14-0 lead in the first quarter. EMCC attacked early and knocked starting quarterback Chandler Eiland from the game late in the first quarter. It appeared EMCC was ready to roll, but Kilgore (6-5) rallied behind the strong play of reserve quarterback Cam Martin. Standing 6-foot-1 and weighing 225 pounds, Martin acted like a bowling ball and proved to be a challenge to bring down.
Kilgore drove 74 yards on 15 plays to break up the shutout. Marquis Broussard scored on a 15-yard run. The Rangers then got a huge break when the Lions muffed a sky kickoff. Ty Hayter made the recovery at the EMCC 34-yard line.
This time, Martin needed only three plays before hitting Zach Newbell for the game-tying touchdown.
“We knew we had to finish strong,” EMCC sophomore running back Jacquez Horsley said. “After starting off strong, we hit a lull there in the second quarter and let them get back in the game. That is not something we normally do. We normally keep scoring. However, we were out of rhythm. It looked like the time off hurt us there a little bit.
“In the second half, we made some plays and got the win. It was important for us to go out with a win. We had come so far this season and changed the program back around. We wanted to leave on a high note.”
EMCC opened the second half on a five-play, 80-yard drive. Johnson broke four tackles on a 59-yard run, signaling the team was ready to break out of it doldrums. Johnson then hit Damion Willis for 19 yards on a critical third-and-10. Short-yardage specialist Vijay Miller scored on a 2-yard run.
EMCC then got the break it needed on defense. Chauncey Rivers hurried Martin into an interception by Brian Cole, who made an acrobatic catch.
Two plays later, Johnson hit Damion Willis for the final of his 27 junior college touchdown passes.
“It was great being out there with the guys one more time,” Johnson said. “Anytime you play, you want to play in a championship game or a bowl game. This game had a lot of meaning. It was our final chance to play together. It was our final chance to show some people what this team is all about. I love these brothers. This experience has really made me a better football player and a better person.”
Johnson was 16 of 30 for 163 yards and a touchdown. He also led the ground game with 84 rushing yards. The Lions won as they did often this season with no turnovers and few penalties (three for 19 yards).
“I thought the assistant coaches did a great job of preparing our kids to play,” Stephens said. “As a head coach, I failed them. I didn’t have us mentally ready. We didn’t play with that edge. Thought we had it there in the first quarter, but it faded quickly. Anytime you have the opportunity to play you need to be excited to play.
“There is little doubt Kilgore came a long way and played with more emotion. That is something we will fix.”
On this day, emotion wasn’t needed. Smiles and hugs still were plentiful as players took turns posing with the Mississippi Bowl trophy. It wasn’t the national championship trophy, but it had to do.
Leonard caught a 36-yard touchdown pass from Miller to start the scoring. Horsley also scored on a 1-yard run in the first quarter. The pair of former Starkville High standouts posed for a photo or two with family after the game.
“That was neat, getting into the end zone (with Horsley),” Leonard said. “This is a game we will always remember. It was a lot of fun having the chance to play with him this year. Even though I had one year, it was a great experience.”
Follow Dispatch sports writer Scott Walters on Twitter @dispatchscott
Scott was sports editor for The Dispatch.
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