A CCC victory over Itawamba in season finale at James E. Miller Stadium does it

The situation doesn’t need much deciphering. It doesn’t need any complicated diagrams or special codes to figure out.

Coahoma Community College can clinch a playoff berth with a victory over Itawamba in its final game of the season Thursday at James E. Miller Stadium. Kickoff is 7 p.m.

“We need everyone there,” said Coahoma Community College Athletic Director and head coach Freeman Horton. “I’d like to see the stadium filled with our fans. If ever there was a time that we needed their support, it’s now.

“We’ve got an opportunity to make history. We’ve never been in the playoffs. We’re assured of our first winning season since 1975. We’ve got a lot of good things going for us and we need to get people excited about what we’re doing.”

The Tigers (5-3, 3-2) will be playing an ICC (2-6, 1-4) team that is coming off 28-6 loss to East Mississippi. The Indians have a rich football tradition. ICC is one of only four programs in the state to qualify for the playoffs in four of the last five seasons.

“They’re going to come after us and we’re going to have to be ready,” Horton said. “They’re not going to come in here and just give us the game. We have to want it.”

Itawamba went with a different look at quarterback against 10th ranked East Mississippi (7-1, 5-0), inserting wide receiver Ty Ferrell into the lineup in the "Wildcat" formation. He played most of the first half in place of starter Bret Jefcoat.

Ferrell rushed for 51 yards on 19 carries and scored the Indians' lone touchdown, but in the end, the visiting Lions left with a 28-6 victory over Itawamba in front of a near capacity homecoming crowd on the home side of Lambert Stadium.

"When you play a potent offense you try to shorten the game," ICC coach Jeff Terrill said of the Indians' scheme with Ferrell. "You hope to keep it close until the fourth quarter and have a shot."

Terrill, who played without eight starters, saw his offense fail to convert inside the East Mississippi 15-yard line three times, including twice inside the five-yard line.

"Give credit to East Mississippi," he said. "They had a solid defense and did a great job.”

CCC needed four overtimes before defeating Northeast Mississippi Community College Tigers 20 – 14.

But there was a steep price for the victory. Quarterback Garrick Jones (shoulder), center Jamil Johnson (ankle) and running back Courtney Vaughn (knee) were all knocked out of the game with injuries. Vaughn is gone for the rest of the season but Horton is hoping that Jones and Johnson may be available.

“It’s tough to win with the middle of your offense out because of injuries,” Horton said. “But I give credit to the team because they took it as a challenge. They didn’t back down. They went out there and did what they had to do to win. It’s one reason why we’re in the position that we’re in today. They’ve got a lot to play for and I think they’re going to rise to the occasion and do their best.”