NEMCC Florida boys on defense-Defensive tackle #99 John Brown (Lakeland Fla.) and safety #23 John Ware (Ft. Lauderdale, Fla.) gang up for the tackle at Keenum Stadium versus the Hinds Community College Eagles on August 27, 2009.  The Tigers lost a heart breaker in overtime 16-7. 

August 28, 2009

TIGERS STUNNED IN OVERTIME

BOONEVILLE, MISS. – Northeast’s Tiger football team was stunned in overtime by the Hinds Eagles at Keenum Stadium on Thursday night opening the 2009 season.

Northeast (0-1) looked to have the momentum toward the end of regulation and attempted a game-winning field goal inside the 10 only to see Hinds (1-0) block the try and send the game into overtime.

“I felt like our guys played as hard as they could and showed some great heart out there tonight,” said Northeast second-year head coach Ricky Smither.  “We had a few missed opportunities in the ball game and got some bad breaks.”

During the extra period, the Tigers won the coin toss and deferred possession to the Eagles putting the Eagles on the offensive. Hinds quickly took advantage of its opportunity booting a field goal on fourth and goal to put the Eagles on top 10-7. 

Northeast would try to answer on its possession in overtime, by picking up four yards on first down after sophomore wide receiver Eric Knowlton (Horn Lake) took a speed sweep around the right side for a gain of four yards. 

On the ensuing down, freshman quarterback Clint Wilson (Olive Branch) threw a lateral to Jeremy Cannon (New Albany), which missed its mark and Hinds’ William Crump scooped up the loose pigskin and scampered 79 yards to the end zone for the game-ending touchdown giving Hinds a 16-7 decision.

However, the Tigers made an impressive showing in the season opener in front of a packed house at Keenum Stadium.

Northeast’s defense held the high-powered Hinds offense to just 183 yards on 59 plays and were led by defensive tackle John Brown (Lakeland Fla.) who tallied nine tackles, one sack, and a fumble recovery, followed by Adam Funk (Tupelo), who had nine tackles along with John Ware (Ft. Lauderdale, Fla.) who finished with six solo stops on the night.

On the offensive side, Wilson showed composure and completed 28-of-45 attempts totaling for 220 yards and one touchdown. Cannon led the ground attack with 143 yards on 18 carries followed by Knowlton who chipped in with 26 yards on four attempts.

Northeast special teams found it tough going against Hinds. Sophomore kicker Tyler Turner had his potential game-winning field goal blocked but averaged a 33-yard per punt average while handling all the kicking duties for the Tigers.

“Overall, I think we made a positive showing,” Smither said. “We will look to improve in some areas during the next few days as we start preparing for the Wildcats.”

 The Tigers return to action on Thursday, September 3, as they travel to Poplarville to face the Wildcats.  Kickoff is set for 6:30 p.m.

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