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TOP QUARTERBACKS HIGHLIGHT RIVALRY MATCH-UP
September 26, 2007
BOONEVILLE, Miss.-- Two of the nation’s top community college quarterbacks will lead their offenses onto the field at Keenum Stadium in Booneville tomorrow night when the Itawamba Indians (3-1, 1-0) visit the Northeast Tigers (0-4, 0-1).
Both Itawamba sophomore Tyson Lee (Columbus), and Northeast freshman Emanuel Francis (Tallahassee, FL) rank among the nation’s top 25 signal callers in yards per game according to the National Junior College Athletic Association. Lee is fifth with a 214.0 passing yards/game average, while Francis is 23rd with a 149.3 yards average.
Those totals also have the two rival QB’s atop the MACJC (Mississippi Association of Community/Junior Colleges) rankings for passing yards/game. Lee’s 214 yards per contest leads the state, while Francis’ 149.3 clip is good enough for 5th best.
Northeast’s strong-armed freshman has a slight edge over Lee in overall pass efficiency with a 122.6 rating thanks to a 56.7 completion percentage with 6 touchdowns and only three interceptions. Francis has Mississippi’s 4th best quarterback rating, while Lee is 6th with a 112.8 rating that includes four touchdowns and five interceptions.
“He’s a great player,” said Northeast head coach Andy Greening, referring to Itawamba’s Tyson Lee. “Last year he lit the league up and completed 70% of his passes. He was an All-American coming into this year, and if not for a bad game last week against Jones (County Junior College) he’d be leading the nation in every category. Our defense will try to limit him, but that’s easier said than done.”
After a slow start in weeks one and two of the season, games that saw Francis turn the ball over too much according to his coaches, the former University of Louisville signee has settled down in the last two weeks and begun to perform.
“I think it took a little while for him to get going again,” said Northeast offensive coordinator David Wilkerson. “The last two ballgames he’s played well. Last week against Northwest, he played his best ballgame and did not fumble or throw an interception. He’s got loads of ability, and a great arm. If he continues to improve at this rate, he’ll be highly recruited because he’s got good size (6’2, 205 lb).”
Lee and Francis will lead the Indians and Tigers onto the field for a 7 p.m. kickoff on Thursday night, September 27 at Keenum Stadium.
The game can be heard live on WKZU, 102.3 fm, or on live streaming audio at www.kudzu102.com.
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