East Central looks to even record with win against Northeast Thursday

By By Marty Stamper / EMG sports assistant
Sept. 11, 2002
DECATUR – The East Central Community College Warriors are looking to find the win column Thursday night when they host the Northeast Mississippi Community College Tigers. Kickoff is set for 6:30 p.m. at Warrior Stadium.
ECCC lost 27-12 to Holmes in the opening week of the season. Northeast opened with a 13-6 win over Pearl River in Booneville.
One area where the Warriors expect to be much improved from last week is the kicking game where anything that could go wrong did.
Against Holmes, the Warriors had an extra point blocked, had a field goal blocked and returned for a touchdown, averaged 26 yards per punt, fumbled away a punt, allowed the second half kickoff to be returned for a touchdown, and gave Holmes a first down by being offsides after the Bulldogs had missed a field goal. Holmes ended up getting a touchdown.
Northeast went 3-6 a year ago and has traditionally finished closer to the bottom of the North Division standings than the top. That may be about to change with second-year head coach Bobby Hall.
Of the 32 incoming freshmen at Northeast, 20 came from districts belonging to other MACJC member schools, including six each from Hinds and Jones, four from East Mississippi, and three from Itawamba.
Several Warriors went down with injuries against Holmes.
The Warriors will be without sophomore offensive lineman Rudy Su'e for the remainder of the year with a broken leg.
Ramon Williams, who had 67 yards on 16 carries, is doubtful with a bruised knee and a separated shoulder.
Likely to see time in Williams' spot are freshmen Kentay Eiland and Derek Carter.
ECCC's Kevin Stevens was 16-of-27 passing for 212 yards with Ronald Smith hauling in three passes for 108 yards. Titus Ryan had four receptions for 33 yards and Marcus Hibbler had four catches for 31 yards.
Travares Osley led the Warrior defense with 13 total tackles. Josh Viverette had 12.