Published: October 24, 2007 12:38 pm            

Hinds field goal in OT sinks ECCC Warriors, 20-17

DECATUR — It was another frustrating loss for the East Central Community College Warriors Thursday night, as Hinds Community College kicker Parker Ware of Brandon split the uprights from 31 yards out to give the Eagles a 20-17 homecoming win in overtime at Joe Robby Stadium in Raymond.

East Central dropped to 2-6 overall and 0-6 in MACJC South Division competition following the division defeat, while Hinds improved to 5-3 and 2-3.

The Warriors took first possession on the 25-yard line in the overtime period but quarterback Deon Williams, a product of Tuscaloosa (Ala.) County High School, was intercepted in the end zone by Eagle defender Antwon Dixon of Jackson on the first play from scrimmage.

Ware’s game-winning field goal came on the Eagles’ fourth play in the extra period on third and 12.

East Central, which led 17-10 at halftime, had an opportunity to win in the contest in regulation, but Morton product Beau Hannah’s 52-yard field goal attempt was unsuccessful as time expired.

The longtime division rivalry began on a positive note for the Warriors as speedster Maurice Langston returned the opening kickoff 64 yards to the Hinds 27. Langston is a former standout at Northeast Lauderdale High School.

But EC was unable to take advantage of the opportunity and gave up possession on the Eagle 17-yard line following a fumble.

Hinds would take a 7-0 lead later in the period on a one-yard plunge by quarterback Jarrod Fleming of Orlando. Ware added the PAT. The scoring drive covered 64 yards and took six plays.

EC responded to the Eagle tally with Hannah’s 26-yard field goal with 1:33 left in the first quarter, capping an eight-play, 72-yard march. Key plays during the drive included William’s 60-yard scamper to the Hinds 24 and William’s 11-yard pass to wide receiver Katlan French, a Starkville Academy product, to the Eagle 13.

The Warriors took their first lead of the night two possessions later when wide receiver Freddie Parham, who hails from St. Clair County High School in Margaret, Ala., found the end zone from 20 yards out on a flanker reverse with 11:41 left in the second stanza. Hannah added the PAT and the Warriors held a 10-7 advantage. The short scoring drive was set up by Warrior defensive lineman Ken Whitfield of Louisville whose interception and 19-yard return gave EC excellent field position on Hinds 21-yard line.

East Central missed another scoring opportunity on its next possession, as the Warriors drove to the Hinds 30-yard line.

But EC could get no closer and turned the ball over after failing to convert a fourth and 16 situation, giving Hinds excellent field position at its 45-yard line.

The Eagles took advantage of the opportunity as Ware connected on a 25-yard field goal, which tied the contest at 10-10 with 1:34 left before halftime.

East Central took the ensuing kickoff and quickly drove 65 yards in just six plays to retake the lead at 17-10, thanks to Langston’s 22-yard touchdown scamper. Hannah added the PAT. Key plays during the march included Langston’s 18-yard run to the Hinds 47, his 10-yard burst to the 30, and Williams’ 11-yard strike to Parham, which gave the Warriors possession at the 19.

Hinds would again tie the contest late in the third quarter on a 14-yard run by Anton Taylor of Jackson. Ware added the PAT.

Neither team threatened to score in the final stanza until Hanna’s missed field goal from 52 yards sent the game into overtime. The Warriors had driven to the Hinds 36 but lost yardage due to a fumble in the backfield on first down. A nine-yard pass from Williams to wide receiver Michael Townsend of Forest gave EC possession at the 35, from where Hannah barely missed the 52-yard field goal attempt.

Williams finished the night by completing seven of 16 passes for 62 yards. Backup signal caller Jacob Massey of Union completed two of six attempts for 35 yards. Parham was the leading receiver with three receptions for 34 yards. Townsend also had three catches for 20 yards.

Lamario Hopson of Meridian was the leading ground gainer for EC, with 74 yards on nine carries. Langston had 13 carries for 72 yards and one touchdown. The Warriors were without the services of Roosevelt Ross, one of the state’s top rushers, who was unable to play due to an injury. Ross is a product of Ocala-Forest (Fla.) High School.

The EC defense was led by defensive lineman Mark Hoskins of Louisville, who had eight tackles and was credited with half a quarterback sack. Nose guard Henry Scott, a product of Will Rogers HS in Tulsa, OK, had seven tackles and one-and-a-half quarterback sacks and linebacker Jamar Lawrence of Tuscaloosa County had six tackles. Quarterback sacks were also registered by defensive lineman Chris Ivy of Louisville and linebacker Vonzell Jackson of Aliceville, Ala. In addition to Whitfield, free safety Ray Frierson, a product of Hillcrest HS in Tuscaloosa, had an interception.

East Central concludes the 2007 campaign by hosting Coahoma Community College Thursday, October 25. Kickoff is set for 6:30 p.m. at Bailey Stadium.

The Tigers are 2-6 overall and 2-4 in the North Division after falling 36-6 to homecoming guest Northeast Mississippi Community College Saturday afternoon. Freeman Horton, a former ECCC assistant and Lake native, serves as Coahoma head coach.

        

• Click to discuss this story with other readers on our forums.