RAYMOND — East Mississippi Community College sophomore wide receiver Kirk Merritt took extra notes this week during film study.
“Being a great kick returner starts with what you see on film,” Merritt said. “You can pick up on the tendencies. I knew there were some things we had the possibility of doing in this game. A kick return is great because it can get a whole team hyped.”
Merritt had a 62-yard kickoff return and a 40-yard punt return. It was part of what Buddy Stephens called “a masterful day on special teams.”
Each play proved critical as No. 5 EMCC beat No. 7 Hinds C.C. 51-41 to ruin Homecoming on Saturday afternoon at Joe Renfroe Stadium.
EMCC (8-1) will open the Mississippi Association of Community and Junior Colleges (MACJC) playoffs at 1 p.m. Saturday at No. 8 Jones County Junior College (8-1).
EMCC handed JCJC its only regular-season loss, 47-34 on the opening week of the season in Scooba.
“I have been coaching in this league 17 years. It’s the best set of teams we have had in the playoffs,” EMCC coach Buddy Stephens said. “We have all four teams ranked in the top eight (nationally). Don’t kid yourself all four of us (EMCC, Jones, Hinds, and Northwest Mississippi C.C.) are playing for the national championship.”
EMCC appeared to control its destiny after six-straight wins to start the season. The Lions were ranked No. 1 nationally by a comfortable margin. EMCC then lost 61-38 at Northwest Mississippi C.C.
All appeared lost on that night. Now, it’s not the case.
“We really needed a loss, I hate to say that, but it’s true,” Merritt said. “We weren’t as hungry as we needed to be. Now, we have that laser focus back. We are ready to play for and win a pair of championships. Everybody is where they need to be.”
EMCC had a lot of players in the right place in a wild game in Raymond. No play was bigger than a sack and strip by former Starkville High School standout Lorenzo Dantzler.
EMCC had just taken a 14-13 lead on a 9-yard run by Tyrell Price. After the strip, the fumble recovery by Ty’Ree Evans set the Lions up with a short field.
Lindsey Scott Jr. then hit Dontario Drummond with a 10-yard touchdown pass for a 21-13 halftime lead. Price made it bookend scores to start the third quarter with a 1-yard touchdown run to cap a 20-yard drive after the kick return by Merritt.
“A big return lifts the whole sidelines,” Stephens said. “When your defense isn’t doing anything, you have to find a play, you have to find a spark. Kirk may be the best raw athlete on the team. He made some plays. He changed the game. He made everybody feel better.”
The kick returns helped supplement a powerful running game that saw Price have 18 carries for 154 yards and three touchdowns.
“We are in a good place,” Price said. “I think everybody got a little humbled. When that happens, you have to come out and make up for it. You have to be ready to attack. We have picked our game up, and that is why this team has a lot of confidence going into the playoffs.”
Scott threw for 198 yards and two touchdowns. Stephens loves the balance going into the playoffs. Due to the seeding, EMCC would be forced to play both playoff games on the road to repeat as state champions.
“The championship teams have balance,” Stephens said. “The most important thing about this win is we ran the ball with authority when we had to. The growth of the offensive line gives us a chance.”
Hinds C.C. (6-2) still made things interesting. The Eagles pulled within 37-34 on the first play of the fourth quarter.
The Lions then drove 65 yards on nine plays. Ja’Mori Mark capped the drive with a 2-yard touchdown run.
“I came here from (Texas) A&M. I know what big games are all about,” Merritt said. “Today was fun. Today is what you want to feel when you are playing this game. It was a wild game, a big game, and a lot of fun.
“Practice turns serious Monday. We got a championship to go win.”
n Itawamba C.C. 61, Holmes C.C. 16: At Fulton, Dan Ellington threw for four touchdowns and ran for another Saturday to lead the Indians (6-3, 5-1 MACJC North Division).
Ellington opened the scoring with a 2-yard run. He connected with former Caledonia High School standout Jamel Thomas on a 4-yard touchdown. He hit Terry Williams with touchdown passes of 9, 13, and 23 yards.
Former Hamilton High standout Keshon Heard had a 92-yard fumble return for a touchdown. Jarvis Hayes had a 32-yard fumble return for a score. Tyrese Quinn capped ICC’s scoring with a 100-yard interception return for a touchdown.
Former Caledonia High standout Caleb Comer had seven extra points.
Holmes slipped to 6-3 and 3-3 in the North Division.
Follow Dispatch sports writer Scott Walters on Twitter @dispatchscott
Scott was sports editor for The Dispatch.
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