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Sunday, November 8, 1981 THE MERIDIAN STAR
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
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. 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 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.
';;''.'lOll F.ECO~!J ..~
\I::P.JCI.C..N STAR /
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