Second straight shutout sends top-ranked EMCC Lions to 55-0 Homecoming victory over No. 12 Jones County

SCOOBA – The top-ranked Lions of East Mississippi Community College continued their dominance on both sides of the football during Saturday's 55-0 Homecoming blanking of No. 12 Jones County Junior College at Sullivan-Windham Field.

Winners of 38 of their last 40 decisions dating back to their first national championship in 2011, the EMCC Lions eclipsed the 50-point mark for the fifth time in six outings this year and posted their second straight shutout to extend their winning streak to 18 consecutive games.  The reigning NJCAA national champions shut out Itawamba, 51-0, last week in Fulton.

In a rematch of last season's MACJC state championship contest claimed by EMCC, 61-24, the Lions opened the scoring by driving 80 yards in 12 plays.  Transfer quarterback Chad Kelly hit running back Preston Baker on an 8-yard swing pass to take a 7-0 lead at the 8:53 mark.

Forcing a three-and-out on Jones County's opening possession, the Lions' stingy defensive unit set up their quick-strike offensive counterparts on back-to-back subsequent possessions.  EMCC sophomore linebacker Demetrius Cain picked off his third pass interception of the season and sixth of his career to keep the momentum rolling for the home team.  Three plays later, Kelly found a leaping Allenzae Staggers for a 25-yard touchdown reception with 5:48 remaining in the opening quarter.

On the next play from scrimmage, JCJC running back D'Alex Rockingham fumbled to put East Mississippi's potent offensive attack right back on the field.  After Kelly connected with running back DJ Law on consecutive passes that covered 39 yards, Law followed a 2-yard carry with a 1-yard leap over the pile to put the Lions on top 21-0 with 4:25 left in the period.

Jones County seemed to find its offensive rhythm late in the opening quarter but still couldn't put up points.  With quarterback Steve Swindle at the controls, the Bobcats moved the ball to the 31-yard line.  However, the Lions got to Swindle for a 4-yard sack to force an unsuccessful 52-yard field goal try by Cole Byrd.      

Opening with a 24-yard end-around play by Camion Patrick, the Lions proceeded to march 65 yards on seven plays.  Patrick was rewarded with a 2-yard touchdown toss from Kelly to increase the margin to 28-0 heading into the second quarter.

The visitors made progress once again by driving the ball to the 3-yard line before a third-and-goal attempt was snapped over the head of Tevin Moore for a loss of 17 yards.  JCJC was again kept off the board as Byrd's 37-yard field goal attempt misfired.

Following successive, non-point producing drives by their offense, it was the Lions' ball-hawking defense that fueled two late touchdowns heading into intermission.  Quan Latham's third pass interception of the year and fourth of his career was quickly turned into EMCC's fifth touchdown of the half when Kelly connected with Brandon Acker from 10 yards out at the 2:24 mark.  Another JCJC three-and-out coupled with a short punt put the Lions in excellent shape to score again.  The home team took advantage and moved 30 yards on five plays in less than a minute to mount a 42-0 halftime lead on Todd Mays' 3-yard burst with 31.8 seconds remaining.

Utilizing a running clock throughout the second half due to the MACJC's newly implemented 38-point mercy rule, the Lions managed solo scores during each of the final two quarters to account for the 55-0 final outcome.  Again taking advantage of another short punt by JCJC following a three-and-out possession, the Lions efficiently advanced 35 yards in four plays to move ahead 48-0 on Kelly's 9-yard scoring strike to Acker five minutes into the second half.

Mays directed EMCC's final scoring drive during the fourth quarter.  Law scored from a yard out for the second time in the contest with just under six minutes remaining on the game clock.

While scoring 45 points or more for the 19^th consecutive game on offense, the Lions also recorded their seventh shutout over the past two seasons.

Statistically, EMCC's Kelly, a Clemson University transfer by way of Buffalo, N.Y., was 39-of-49 through the air for 436 passing yards and five touchdowns.  His top target on the day was Acker, from Hattiesburg, who had 11 receptions for 145 yards and a pair of touchdown grabs.

Now 6-0 overall and 3-0 in MACJC North Division play, head coach Buddy Stephens' East Mississippi Lions resume division competition on Thursday (Oct. 9) by playing host to the Holmes Bulldogs on the Scooba campus.  Kickoff at EMCC's Sullivan-Windham Field is set for 7 p.m.