EMCC’s Everitt Cunningham selected MACJC Defensive Player of the Week

SCOOBA – For top-ranked East Mississippi Community College's dominant defensive team effort in last week's 34-6 road win over previously second-ranked Northwest Mississippi, EMCC sophomore defensive end Everitt Cunningham has been selected the MACJC's Defensive Player of the Week.

Cunningham, a West Point High School product, helped set the tone for EMCC's key road victory over the Rangers a week ago with two early quarterback sacks, as the Lions jumped out to a quick 13-0 lead midway through the first quarter.  He finished the much-anticipated MACJC state championship rematch from a year ago with three sacks for a total of 19 yards lost in addition to forcing a fumble and breaking up a pass.

Cunningham's individual play against NWCC headlined a commanding team defensive effort that totaled 17 tackles behind the line of scrimmage, including 11 sacks for 74 yards lost.  The reigning national and state champion Lions also limited the Rangers to -20 yards rushing and only 98 yards of total offense for the contest.

On the year, Cunningham leads EMCC with nine tackles for loss and six quarterback sacks along with having two forced fumbles, a pass breakup and a blocked field goal to his credit.  

East Mississippi has now had four MACJC Player of the Week selections through the first six weeks of the current football season.  EMCC sophomore quarterbacks Messiah deWeaver and Vijay Miller exchanged league offensive honors during the first two weeks of the season, while sophomore safety Josh Miller collected NJCAA and MACJC Special Teams Player of the Week accolades a week ago.

Coach Buddy Stephens' unbeaten EMCC Lions (6-0, 3-0 MACJC North) will play host to the Bulldogs of Holmes Community College Saturday afternoon (Oct. 13) as part of homecoming weekend on the Scooba campus.  Kickoff is set for 2 p.m. at EMCC's Sullivan-Windham Field.