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THE MERIDIAN STAR

Sunday, November 8, 1981

Area Roundup EMJC Whips ECJC By JASO:\' BIRD Star Correspondent

DECATUR- A pair of Meridian High products teamed up in the closing minutes here Saturday night to spark East MiSSISSippi Junior College to a 31-27 come-from-behind victory over archrival East Central. With 1:55left on the scoreboard clock, quarter– back Ed Smith rifled a 34-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Eric Willis to pr ovide the game– winning heroics in the regular-season finale for both teams. Smith completed 15 of 27 passes for 230 yards to spa rk the Lions. Although the loss was heartbreaking for coach Ken Pouncey's East Central team, they received some good news following the of£ensive shootout. Copiah-Lincoln had just ~efeated Gulf. ~o~st 41-14, which landed the Warnors a South DIVISIOn playoff berth against Holmes. Both teams battled on equal terms in the open– ing quarter, scoring a touchdown apiece. EMJC drew first blood midway in the quarter when running back Danny James bolted up the middle for 88 yards and a touchdown. Jerry Hallmark added the extra point. East Central tied the game late in the stanza when running back Ronnie Parker scored on a 5-yard touchdown run to conclude a 70-yard drive. East Central took the lead midway in the second qua rter when quarterback Jeff Kennamer fired a 12-yard scoring aerial to Parker. Todd Wall's PAT g~e the Warnors a 14-7 lead

. he 10ns pulled within four points <14-10) late m the quar ter when Hallmark booted a 30-yard field goal. E_MJ opened the second half with a bang as Sm1th tossed a 39-yard touchdown pass to William Bell. Hallmark's extra point id the Lions on top 17-14. ' East Central countered with 13 points to take a 27-17 lead into the final quarter on the strength of touchdown passes of 30 and 25 yards from Ken– namer to Bruce McGee and Tony Baker respectively. The '.Yarriors failed on a two-point conversion on the frrst TO and elected to boot an extra point following the second score In a wild fourth quarter, the Lions clawed the Warriors on the strength of a 1-yard plunge by former La.m.ar School st~n~out Bobby Myers with 9:10 remammg to pull w1thm three points (27-24 ) . The s.tage was then set for East Mississippi's dramatic last-chance drive to win the game. "The season was disappointing, but when you win a game like this, it does your team some good," said East Mississippi coach Randall Bradberry.'' The LIOns concluded the season with a 4-6 marK. ~ast Central ends the regular season with an ideo– heal mark.

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