East Central beats Gulf Coast 28-21 in OT
By By Marty Stamper / EMG sports assistant
Sept. 29, 2002
DECATUR – It wasn't until Ken Triplett slammed Gulf Coast quarterback Kalvin Woods to the turf for a 13-yard loss on fourth-and-9 from the 13 that the East Central Community College Warriors could celebrate their 28-21 overtime win over the Bulldogs Saturday afternoon.
But after losing their first three games, the last two by seven and four-point margins, the Warriors were just glad to be the ones celebrating.
It looked like the Warriors would have an easy time in the early going as they led 14-0 at the end of the first quarter on a 4-yard touchdown toss from Kevin Stephens to John Cole and a 3-yard run by Titus Ryan in the first 15 minutes.
ECCC outgained the Bulldogs 168-111 in the first half, but was unable to expand its lead after losing two fumbles and throwing an interception.
None were bigger than a blocked 22-yard field goal attempt on the Bulldogs' first possession. The ball caromed into Adrian Eiland's hands and he raced 52 yards to put the Warriors in business at Gulf Coast 47. Six plays later, Stephens teamed with Cole for a 4-yard scoring toss.
Stacey Lewis had a fumble recovery and Pete McBride picked off a Bulldog pass in the first half.
Gulf Coast owned the second half, outgaining the Warriors 182-66 over the third and fourth quarters. The Bulldogs drew even at 14-14 with 3:37 left in the third quarter on a 50-yard scoring run by Andrew Moffett following a 16-yard touchdown toss from DeShun Carmichael to Andrew Moffett.
McBride helped the Warriors reclaim the lead when he picked off his second pass of the day and returned it 38 yards to the 4. Kentay Eiland scored on the next play to put the Warriors up 21-14 heading into the fourth quarter.
The Bulldogs pulled back even at 21-21 on a 2-yard sneak by Carmichael with 11:19 to go in regulation.
The Warriors had a chance to win in the final minute when Carmichael lost a fumble at his 13 with 32 seconds left. Travares Osley's 27-yard field goal attempt as time ran out was wide right following three straight Bulldog timeouts.
In overtime, it took the Warriors only two plays to score as Ryan scooted 19 yards to the end zone.
Ryan, originally a wide receiver, has only recently been used out of the backfield. He had 87 yards on 18 carries.
ECCC improved to 1-1 in the MACJC South Division and 1-3 overall. The Warriors visit Copiah-Lincoln next Saturday. Gulf Coast fell to 1-1 and 2-2.
