No. 7 EMCC Lions bounce back with 72-7 Homecoming triumph over Coahoma
The seventh-ranked Lions of East Mississippi Community College parlayed six offensive touchdowns with two pick-six scores and a pair of special teams trips to the end zone into a 72-7 Homecoming triumph over Coahoma Community College Saturday afternoon at Sullivan-Windham Field.
SCOOBA – The seventh-ranked Lions of East Mississippi Community College parlayed six offensive touchdowns with two pick-six scores and a pair of special teams trips to the end zone into a 72-7 Homecoming triumph over Coahoma Community College Saturday afternoon at Sullivan-Windham Field.
Now 7-1 overall on the year and 5-1 to close out MACJC North Division regular-season play after rebounding from last week's 61-38 division loss at Northwest Mississippi, the Lions extended their home winning streak to 28 consecutive games dating back to the 2013 season. EMCC is now 38-1 collectively at home since moving across campus to the current site of Sullivan-Windham Field in 2011.
Against Coahoma, the Lions scored five different ways to take a 31-0 lead at the end of the first quarter. A Tyrell Price 1-yard score at the 11:14 mark was followed by a 76-yard scoring pass play from Lindsey Scott Jr. to Dontario Drummond to quickly make it 14-0 six minutes into the contest.
Following the second of three straight Coahoma three-and-outs to begin the contest, the Lions scored two more times in just 19 seconds midway through the quarter. After a blocked punt by Braden Boykin was returned for a score by Untareo Johnson at the 7:47 mark, EMCC's Duke Upshaw picked off Trey Mitchell's pass for a 25-yard interception return to the end zone on the next play from scrimmage to extend the lead to 28-0 with 7:28 still remaining in the first half.
The Lions closed out their 31-point opening quarter with Taylor Crabtree's 30-yard field goal.
The second quarter featured four more offensive scores by the home team. Following Scott's 25-yard touchdown toss to Mike Williams at the 12:50 mark, EMCC quickly scored two more times on a pair of short runs. The Lions first forced a fumble by Tiger running back Josh Johnson at the 24-yard line. Five plays later, Price scored on a 5-yard run for his second score of the day and 14th rushing touchdown of the season. On the Tigers' ensuing three-and-out possession, their punt glanced off a blocker's back and was recovered by EMCC on the 2-yard line. Two plays later, Kirk Merritt went in from three yards out to lengthen the lead to 52-0 with 8:43 still left in the opening half.
The Lions closed out the half with a 15-play, 75-yard drive that was capped by Scott's 1-yard scoring burst with 16 seconds left before intermission.
Utilizing a running clock throughout the second half because of the MACJC's mandated 38-point mercy rule, EMCC still managed to score twice in the third quarter. Upshaw's second pass interception of the game preceded Boykin's second blocked punt of the contest. This time, Boykin recovered the ball himself in the end zone to make it 65-0 with six minutes left in the period.
The Lions' final score of the afternoon came on Jacob Anderson's 52-yard interception return of a Mitchell pass on the final play of the third quarter.
Coahoma denied EMCC's shutout bid by scoring on the game's final play with Mitchell connecting with Chris Claybrooks on a 35-yard scoring strike.
EMCC's Scott connected on 16-of-23 passes for 227 yards and two touchdowns while only playing the first half. The LSU transfer was also the Lions' leading rusher on the day with 50 yards and a score on the ground in 11 attempts.
Coach Buddy Stephens' EMCC Lions will close out the regular season next Saturday afternoon (Oct. 28) on the road against nationally ranked Hinds in Raymond.