Northeast has found lots of success on offense in 2009...thanks in part to an offensive line that has created open holes for leading rusher RB Jeremy Cannon and has given QB Clint Wilson plenty of time in the pocket this season.

Pictured from left: DeMarkus Underwood, Louis Gillom, and Jonathan Wilson

October 8, 2009

NORTHEAST TAKES ON ONE OF NATION’S TOP TEAMS SATURDAY

BOONEVILLE, Miss. – Northeast Mississippi Community College’s football team lost a heartbreaker last Saturday against East Central Community College.

This Saturday, Northeast will look to avenge the Saturday setback by knocking off nationally ranked East Mississippi Community College in Scooba.

East Mississippi enters Saturday’s contest as the tenth-ranked team in the nation by the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) and sports a 5-1 record overall. More importantly, the Lions have 3-0 record in the North Division after beating Coahoma Community College 49-20 last week.

Northeast comes into Saturday’s game on the heels of a 34-28 overtime loss to South Division foe East Central where the Northeast defense gave up desperation heaves at the end of each half for scores and a touchdown on the Warriors first play from scrimmage in overtime.

Northeast does enter its match up with East Mississippi with the state’s second-leading rusher in Jeremy Cannon. Cannon broke loose for 237 yards on 33 attempts and four scores in the Tigers’ loss to East Central and is averaging over 138 yards per game this year.  Cannon was selected as one of the MACJC/Region 23 “Offensive Player of the Week” for his performance against the Warriors along with being named to the “Top Performers of the Week” by JC Football.com.

East Mississippi looks to answer with its All-American quarterback Randall Mackey. Mackey passed for 276 yards on a 27-for-30 day and four touchdowns while rushing for nearly 100 yards on nine attempts in the Lions win over the Coahoma last week. Mackey also leads the state’s best offense, which averages almost 550 yards per game and has scored 32 times in just six games.

LaDarrius Madden (Leighton, Ala.) and Darius Carothers (Lafayette) will try to slow down the East Mississippi passing attack. Madden has four interceptions on the young season and has returned two of his picks for scores while Carothers adds another three interceptions to a defense that has pilfered 10 passes this season.

Northeast might be in luck in the turnover game as East Mississippi is last in the state in turnover margin giving the ball away 16 times while only gaining nine.

John Brown (Lakeland, Fla.), Bernard Smith (Atlanta), Ky’Vari Bolden (Hoover, Ala.) and Jarryn Bingham (Jackson) along with the rest of Northeast’s defense will also try to stop East Mississippi’s rushing attack that is led by running back Pat Shed and Mackey.

Northeast will also be looking to improve on its division standing. The Tigers enter Saturday’s game tied with Northwest for second in the division at 2-1.

Northeast is also trying to break a three-game skid to East Mississippi. The Tigers last win in the series came via a 45-27 decision in 2005 and East Mississippi holds a 31-17 series record since the two schools started playing each other in 1951.

As with all of Northeast’s football games, Northeast’s game will be broadcast on The Shark 102.3 FM and is also available as a live stream on the NEMCC athletic webpage or at http://www.classicradiofm.com/

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