NEMCC GAMEDAY - NORTHWEST

Students, Fans, Alumni,

On behalf of Northeast Mississippi Community College, welcome to the greatest institution in the United States!

Here at NEMCC, we have a tradition in all sports of exhibiting not only a championship atmosphere, but one of class, integrity, and professionalism. We are proud of the student/athletes that have chosen to attend Northeast. We are thankful each of you have chosen to attend this athletic event.

While our students are here, our goal is to provide opportunities of personal growth through cutting edge instruction in the classroom and athletic programs. Northeast recognizes that its primary commitment is to the education of our student-athlete.

Our vision is to develop one of the premier athletic programs in the nation. To that end, the completion of our Baseball/Softball complex was certainly a step in the right direction. In addition, the beginning of our Game, Set, Match capital giving campaign for our state of the art tennis complex shows our continued commitment to excellence.

Recently Northeast was recognized as an Apple Distinguished School. Receiving this coveted honor exhibits to the world our commitment to cutting edge technology within our instructional process.

I hope you will have time prior to or after this athletic event to walk or drive around our campus and get a small glance at what we have to offer. You are welcome to visit anytime with our students, faculty, and staff.

We are happy to have each of you as part of the Northeast family. Please feel free to contact me should the need ever arise. As you leave campus after this event, we wish you the very best and safe travels.

COACHES

NEMCC ATHLETIC SUPPORT STAFF

Alumni Spotlight

COWBOYS’ ROOKIE MAULS LIONS, EXPLAINS PROGRESS

ARLINGTON, Texas - Well hello there, Sam Wil liams. It’s unfathomable to consider the depth en joyed on the defensive line by the Dallas Cowboys in 2022, but the world is reminded of it seemingly on a weekly basis - the Week 7 battle with the De troit Lions being Williams’ turn to take over center stage en route to a 24-6 victory at AT&T Stadium.

The rookie second-round pick has really come on as of late, having had the best outing of his young NFL career in Week 5 against Matthew Stafford and the Los Angeles Rams, leading defensive coordinator Dan Quinn to make a strong proclamation on Oct. 10 about the record-setting former Ole Miss defensive end.

“You’ll likely see guys like him improve fast over the next couple of months,” said Quinn. “I expect that to continue.”

Two months? Scoff.

Try two weeks, coach.

“Outstanding,” said head coach Mike McCarthy of Williams’ play as of late. “Sam is an excellent example of one our rookie players, our young players playing great today. Very proud of Sam. He had some learning experiences earlier in the year, I think the last two weeks he’s flashed big time with his opportunities.”

Williams will probably be the villain in every one of Jared Goff’s nightmares for some time to come after sacking him twice on Sunday, also landing the trifecta in the fourth quarter with a sack-fumblerecovery hat trick that led to Dak Prescott and the Cowboys taking advantage with a drive that be came the first career NFL touchdown for tight end Peyton Hendershot.

“I stay confident because I trust my training,” Williams said of his rapid Year 1 progression. “Be ing a rookie, I just play my role and my role right now is to be a guy that can come in at any point of the game - if anybody goes down - and to keep the same energy or to do better than the guy that was in front of me. That’s my role and I’m just trying to play my part.”

He’s doing that in spades as of late, having quickly become yet another weapon on Quinn’s already lethal defensive front that specializes in bullying opposing quarterbacks into submission.

On Sunday, Williams became only the fourth rookie in Cowboys history to record two sacks and a forced fumble in a game - the other three being Micah Parsons (2021), Victor Butler (2009) and DeMarcus Ware (2005).

Is that good? Seems good.

“It feels good as a team, collectively,” said Wil liams of how his impact plays fueled a day head lined not simply by the return of Prescott but by the defense landing five takeaways and allowing no touchdowns for the first time this season. “And

I know that moving forward it’s gonna be even better.”

Don’t presume to believe Williams is getting caught up in his own hype, though, because the 23-year-old is still focused on how he can get better going forward.

“I can really [work on being] consistent,” he said. “The game is just starting to get a little slower for me so, now, I just gotta be consistent and play with effort like I’ve been doing. … It comes with studying. I’ve learned how to study the NFL way. In college I studied a little bit differently than I do here, but now the game is slowed [down] and I pay attention to the small details.

“I watch the game if I’m not in [as well], so if there’s an O-lineman [that is struggling against a certain move] I’m like, ‘Well, I can do that, too.’ I’m just trying to be a student of the game right now.”

Frustrations were rampant for a Cowboys de fense that missed 10 tackles and failed to dominate Jalen Hurts in the loss to the Philadelphia Eagles one week ago - more accurately described by Quinn as the unit being “pissed off” - and that manifested itself against the Lions.

“It’s a bounce back,” said Williams.

More accurately, it might be a trampoline.

The Northeast Mississippi Community College sports information department thanks Joe Trahan and the Cowboys media staff for their permission to run this article in its entirety.

NORTHEAST 2022 FOOTBALL ROSTER

HEAD COACH

Greg Davis (8th Year- Texas Christian University)

OFFENSIVE COORDINATOR

A.J. Erdely 2nd Year- University of Alabama at Birmingham)

DEFENSIVE COORDINATOR

Jonathan Webster (3rd Year- Arkansas Tech University)

DEFENSIVE LINE COACH

Parrish Huddleston (3rd Year- University of Tennessee at Martin)

WIDE RECEIVERS

COACH

Cole Rotenberry (2nd Year- Mississippi College)

RUNNING BACKS/ TIGHT ENDS

Turner Rotenberry (1st Year- Mississippi College)

LINEBACKERS

COACH

Cedric Shell (4th year - Alcorn State University)

PRESIDENT Dr. Ricky Ford (8th Year- Mississippi State University)

ATHLETIC DIRECTOR

Kent Farris (8th Year- University of North Alabama)

ASSISTANT ATHLETIC DIRECTOR

Brenda Mayes (1st Year- University of North Alabama)

SPORTS INFORMATION DIRECTOR

Blake Long (10th Year- University of Mississippi)

SPORTS INFORMATION SPECIALIST

Ryan Moreland (2nd Year- Mississippi State University)

DIRECTOR OF ATHLETIC TRAINING

Ziggy Marro (1st Year- University of West Alabama)

ASSISTANT ATHLETIC TRAINER

Becca Ruckes (1st Year - Delta State University )

Steven Edwards

Jacoby McQuiller

Sophomore

Freshman

Kylan Garrett Sophomore

Juwon Gaston Sophomore

Javian Gipson-Holmes Sophomore

Kenny Byrd Sophomore

Goldman Butler,

Gary Banks,

Tameron Patterson

Sophomore

Freshman

Freshman

Freshman

Sophomore

Sophomore

Sophomore

Sophomore

Vic Hollins Freshman

Fred McMillian Freshman

6’0”

6’1”

Sardis, Miss.

Panola

Point, Miss........................ West Point

Independence, Miss. Independence

Montgomery, Ala. Carver

Oxford, Miss. Oxford

York, S.C. Myrtle Beach

Valley,

Miss.

Miss. Hernando

Booneville, Miss........................

West Point, Miss.

Oak Hill Academy

Canton, Miss. Velma Jackson

Tupelo, Miss. Tupelo

Ripley, Miss. Ripley

Corinth, Miss. Biggersville

Olive Branch, Miss.

Miss.

Olive Branch

Corinth

Flora, Miss. Madison Central

West Point, Miss.

Ripley, Miss.

City,

Drea Shumaker

Class

R-Sophomore

ROSTER

Hometown Previous School

Tupelo, Miss.

Texas State

Horn Lake, Miss..................... Nicholls State

Olive Branch,

Jackson,

Clinton

Freshman West Point, Miss. West Point

Sophomore Bryant, Ark. Bryant

Sophomore Corinth, Miss. Corinth

Freshman Hattiesburg, Miss. Oak Grove

Sophomore Louisville, Miss. Louisville

Freshman Flora, Miss. Madison Central

Sophomore Oxford, Miss. Oxford

Sophomore Oxford, Miss. Oxford

Sophomore Louisville, Miss. Louisville

Jr. LB 5-11 220 Sophomore Brandon, Miss. Brandon

JyKeon Cunningham LB 6-0 210 Freshman West Point, Miss. West Point

Martez Clark WR 5-8 165 Sophomore Batesville, Miss. South Panola

Kevin Diaz TE 6-3 250 Sophomore Houston, Miss. Mississippi College

James Spratt DB 5-10 175 Sophomore Amory, Miss. Amory

Charles Thomas DB 6-0 185 Sophomore Horn Lake, Miss. Horn Lake

Ren Hefley QB 6-0 200 R-Sophomore Little Rock, Ark. Presbyterian College

Tyrell Pollard WR 6-2 180 Freshman Hattiesburg, Miss. Oak Grove

Xavier Davis RB 5-10 190 Freshman Flowood, Miss. Hartfield Academy

Shade Foster P/QB 6-1 195 R-Freshman Pearl, Miss. Pearl

Tevin Bell DB 5-10 170 Sophomore Edwards, Miss. Warren Central

Jay Adams DB 6-0 200 R-Freshman Olive Branch, Miss. Jackson State

Jaylen Powell DB 5-10 185 Sophomore Horn Lake, Miss. St. Benedict at Auburndale

Don’ya Golson DL 6-5 215 Freshman Thomasville, Ga. Thomas County Central

Jordan Johnson DB 6-0 175 Freshman Cedartown, Ga. Cedartown

Ja’Marlin Green DB 6-2 195 Freshman Union Church, Miss. Franklin County

Lamarion Shumpert DB 6-0 160 Freshman Booneville, Miss. Booneville

Khamron Ford LB 5-11 200 Sophomore Olive Branch, Miss. Olive Branch

Jevon McDonald DB 6-1 195 Sophomore Stockbridge, Ga. Holmes CC

Erik Covington DL 6-3 250 Freshman Olive Branch, Miss. Center Hill

Quay Ragsdale

Freshman Pelahatchie, Miss. Pelahatchie

Freshman Petal, Miss. Petal

Freshman Florala, Ala. Florala

Sophomore Pearl, Miss. Pearl

Sophomore Corinth, Miss. Northeast Mississippi CC

Freshman

Freshman

Freshman

Horn Lake, Miss........................ Horn Lake

Terry, Miss.

Tupelo,

Oxford,

Tri-County

THE WHOLE NINE YARDS: TIGERS BENEFIT FROM FINAL GROUP OF THIRD-YEAR PLAYERS

The worldwide coronavirus pandemic turned the entire world upside down in early 2020. The realm of collegiate athletics was not immune to these drastic changes.

Sports returned to every governing body of amateur athletics at some point during the 2020-21 academic year after the previous spring sports seasons and basketball cham pionships were cancelled at the onset of the outbreak.

However, the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) did not count participation for any student-athlete during that year. That meant players in all sports were eligible for an extra season of competition in all sports.

The Northeast Mississippi Community College football program has benefitted tremendously from its final group of third-year sophomores. All nine have either been in starting positions or other prominent roles for the Tigers.

They have helped Northeast receive votes in the latest NJCAA Division I rankings. This tandem also has the Tigers one win away from clinching a berth to the Mississippi As sociation of Community Colleges Conference (MACCC) playoffs.

Gary Banks, II (Olive Branch) has ap peared in six of Northeast’s eight games so far during the 2022 campaign. He has rushed for 192 yards on 41 touches for an average of 4.7 yards per carry.

Banks, II had a sensational game during the Tigers’ homecoming victory over Mis sissippi Delta Community College. He had game-highs of 17 carries and 69 yards with a season-best run of 29 yards.

He broke through to the end zone two weeks later with a three-yard touchdown near the end of the first half during Northeast’s triumph versus visiting East Central Commu nity College. Banks, II has averaged 5.3 yards per carry over the course of the Tigers’ current three-game winning streak.

Deonta Barnes (Holmes County Central) has started at defensive back during each game that he has appeared in. Barnes has accumulated 37 tackles, which is fifth best on the team.

Barnes had a break out perfor

mance during Northeast’s annual rivalry game with Itawamba Community College. He posted a career-high 10 tackles plus one pass break up and one fumble recovery.

He also fell upon a loose ball one week later against Mississippi Delta. Barnes notched his inaugural sack in a black-and-gold uniform just last week in the Tigers’ thrilling 17-14 win at Coahoma Community College.

Javian Gipson-Holmes (Oxford) has really stepped up during Northeast’s winning streak. Over the last three weeks, GipsonHolmes has tallied 19 takedowns, includ ing three tackles for loss, one sack and two interceptions.

His first interception was a 45-yard pick-six for the first score of the contest against East Central. He ended last week’s dub with a leap ing interception on a Hail Mary attempt by Coahoma as the clock hit all zeroes.

Gipson-Holmes has accumulated 25 stops, three tackles for loss, one sack, one pass break up and a forced fumble to go along with his interceptions this year.

Willie Latham, III (Madison-Ridgeland Academy) has been pivotal for the Tigers both on defense and special teams. He has racked up 20 tackles between the two units along with two pass breaks ups, two tackles for loss and a sack.

Latham, III has tied a season-best of five takedowns twice versus Coahoma and Missis sippi Delta. His lone sack of the campaign so far came against the Trojans as well.

Triston Newson (Independence) is the most decorated of the group. He is on the watch list for the inaugural Walter Jones Trophy presented by JucoWeekly, which is the community college version of the Heisman Trophy.

Newson, who holds numerous NCAA Divi sion I offers, leads the entire country with 94 total tackles through eight contests. That comes out to an average of 11.8 stops per game.

He also has 6.5 tackles for loss, two sacks, four forced fumbles, three interceptions, two fumble recoveries and three pass break ups. Newson has racked up double-digit tackles in every game so far this season.

Tameron Patterson (Corinth) is the only Northeast running back to play in all eight

matchups. He has shared the starting role alongside Goldman Butler, VI, and Jayden Robinson.

Patterson has totaled 293 yards between rushing and receiving. His lone touchdown of the campaign was a two-yard scamper in the second half of the Tigers’ triumph over Missis sippi Delta.

He has had eight carries or more during four of Northeast’s last five games. Patterson had season-highs of 13 touches for 63 yards in the aforementioned hoco meeting with the Trojans.

Brantley Prescott (Heritage Academy) returned to the Tigers after suffering a season ending injury one year ago. He has bounced back nicely by starting at center in all eight contests.

Prescott is part of an offense that averages 25.5 points and 311.6 yards per game. Those numbers are the most since the coronavirus shortened season in the fall of 2020.

Carter Putt (Heritage Academy) is the only quarterback in the modern era of Northeast football to throw for more than 1,000 yards in a single season. He is up to 1,461 yards and nine touchdowns this year.

Putt has set three new school records. He handily broke the previous mark for most completions (37) and attempts (54) during the Tigers’ week five matchup with Holmes Community College at Madison Central High School’s Jaguar Stadium.

He also holds the record for most career passing yards with 2,557 and counting. Putt has thrown for nine scores this season, includ ing multi-touchdown performances against East Mississippi Community College and East Central.

Kris Sides (Hernando) is another two-way standout that appears on offense and special teams. He has recorded at least one tackle in six out of Northeast’s eight games and even forced a fumble versus Mississippi Delta.

Sides has two catches with both going for touchdowns. His first career collegiate catch happened was a 26-yard catch-and-score from Putt against the Trojans on his birthday, September 22nd.

He had a 23-yard touchdown reception against East Central as well.