CCC matches ferocity as touch competitors

CLARKSDALE – Although East Mississippi defeated Coahoma 49-20 here Thursday and proved worthy of their No. 3 national ranking, the Tigers matched their ferocity as tough competitors and were driving hard for a touchdown in the game’s final seconds.

With four seconds remaining, CCC’s Courtney Vaughn was knocking on the end zone gates after nailing a first down on fourth and one and a pass from quarterback Garrick Jones to tight end Bobby Holiday.

Following the game, head coach Freeman Horton and his staff voiced high praise for their players.

“We competed; the Tigers always play hard and never stop,” said assistant coach Kendrick Travis.

Despite the final score, the match was competitive through the third quarter when East Mississippi’s lead was only 28-20. Major penalties against CCC in the fourth quarter became significant when the Lions scored two of their last three touchdowns,

East Mississippi scored first with a long pass from quarterback Randall Mackey to Bill Franks with 4.25 minutes remaining in the first quarter.

. In the second quarter, Coahoma’s defense stopped the Lions on fourth down and one at the 46 yard line .

CCC put together a drive with Vaughn’s gain to the 35; a pass caught by Holiday on the 15 and a TD run by James into the end zone that was called back by a holding penalty.

James, however, returned to the 10, and a pass from Jones to Hollis Moore II put Coahoma on the scoreboard with seven points following a PAT from kicker Reid Gallagher.

With the score tied 7-7, the Lions gambled on fourth and four with their scrambling quarterback eluding defenders covering pass receivers.

In two plays – a gain by Pat Shed to the 22, and a pass to Derrick Steele, East Mississippi scored its second touchdown and led 14-7.

Bouncing back, the Tigers moved downfield on a pass to Vaughn caught at the 41, a quarterback keeper to the 22, a run by James to the 12, and an end zone carry by Brodis Toles.

East Mississippi blocked the PAT, led on the scoreboard 14-13, and raced downfield with the kickoff return. With a trio of first downs, they scored a TD and went out front 21-13 at halftime.

Opening the third quarter, the Lions dominated with runs by Derrick Steele, Mackey, and British Footman. A pass to Bill Franks on the three yard line put East Mississippi in scoring position again. Pat Shed took it into the end zone, and their score increased to 28-13.

Undaunted, Coahoma moved the ball with three consecutive first downs via passes to Daniel Lee and a ground gain by Katrel to the 35. Vaughn added another on fourth and two, and Jones hit Ladarius Dawson on the 3 for another.

James scored the touchdown; Gallagher kicked the extra point, and CCC’s deficit was cut back: 28-20 at the end of the third quarter.

However, East Mississippi was knocking on the door with running back Floyd Graves scoring to go out front 35-20. An intentional grounding penalty halted CCC’s drive, and the Lions punt return to the 50 was aided by a flag against Coahoma.

With the ball on the 30, the Lions moved inside the 15; the quarterback scrambled to the 10, and Steele carried it into the end zone to lead 42-20 with 11 minutes remaining.

Pat Shed scored their final touchdown with 4:22 remaining, and Coahoma sparked its final offense going for a score that ran out of time on East Mississippi’s 13 yard line.

East Mississippi initially kicked off to Coahoma, and the Tigers advanced with a first down following a pass from Jones to Daniel Lee and a run by Vaughn.

However, a quarterback sack and incomplete passes presented the Tigers with fourth down and four.

In a gamble, they went for it, lost, and East Mississippi’s quarterback Randall Mackey drilled a pass to wide receiver Bill Franks for a first down.

Coahoma’s standout defensive back Michael Ruffin recovered a fumble, and the Tigers were back in business.

They logged a series of first downs with passes to Hollis Moore II, Lee, Holiday, and ground gains by Kantrel James and Artavis Gregory before a holding penalty, quarterback sack, and incomplete passes slowed their advance.

The Tigers travel to Senatobia next week to play Northwest Community College. Kickof time is 6:30 p.m.