Poplarville, Miss. - The Northeast Mississippi Community College football team must shift gears slightly as it enters the final two weeks of its season.
The Tigers conclude the non-division portion of their schedule on Saturday, October 17 when they visit Pearl River Community College. Kickoff is set for 2 p.m. at Dobie Holden Stadium.
Those that cannot attend the matchup can watch it live on NEMCCTV, which is the broadcast home of all nine Northeast intercollegiate athletic programs. Join Jeremy Kennedy, the Voice of the Tigers, at 1:30 p.m. for the pregame show by visiting www.nemcctv.com on any computer, smartphone or tablet.
Fans can also keep up with all the action by listening to a simulcast on WBIP-AM 1400. Search and follow @NEMCCTigers for live in-game updates on Twitter and interact during the contest by using the hashtag #TigerPower across all social media platforms.
It is the first of two consecutive weekend contests for Northeast. The Tigers (1-6) have captured wins in three of their previous four Saturday outings over the last four years.
The last time that Northeast took the field away from home on a Saturday was on September 8, 2012. The Tigers defeated Jones County Junior College that day in a rare weekend night game.
"We've had an extra day or two to prepare for them," said Northeast head coach Greg Davis. "We've got things corrected where we can move forward. We were also able to fine tune and solidify a little bit more."
The Tigers have climbed the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) special teams rankings following recent outstanding performances. Northeast is now fourth in the country with 806 kickoff return yards and sixth with a punt return average of 23.3 yards.
Donta Armstrong guides that effort for the Tigers. The Bruce High School standout leads all individuals in the NJCAA with a total of 682 return yards, which includes a season-long 84-yard sprint on the opening kick of Northeast's matchup with Itawamba Community College one week ago.
Khalid Kornegay has emerged as a dynamic athlete in that regard as well. The Tulsa, Okla., native has fielded 10 kickoffs overall and recorded a career-long 79-yard return versus the Indians.
The Tigers get started offensively at the running back position with West Oktibbeha High School graduate Tiberias Lampkin. He is just one carry shy of 100 yards and 35 yards away from 500 for the entire campaign.
Amory's Jaylon Fair is the top target for Northeast's signal callers with a team-high 23 receptions for 206 yards. Armstrong is right behind him with 21 grabs and 220 yards.
A pair of freshmen are atop the defensive charts for the Tigers. Demarcus Rogers of Tupelo High School has 42 tackles while Raleigh, N.C., product Anthony Rush guides the linemen with 37 takedowns.
Rush has a team-best eight tackles for loss as well. Sophomore Justin Williams, who was a Mississippi Association of Community and Junior Colleges (MACJC) All-State selection last year, is second for Northeast with five stops in the backfield.
Brandon Tillman of Grenada has progressed nicely during his inaugural campaign on the Booneville campus. He has a team-high five pass break ups plus one fumble recovery and 27 takedowns.
The Wildcats are directed by Tavarious Moore. The University of Southern Mississippi commitment is a two-way star that averages 36 yards per kickoff return and also has 50 tackles.
Pearl River uses a three-quarterback system with Mack Lowrie, Marshall Kranz and Matthew Williams. Kranz accounted for the Wildcats' lone touchdown during their most recent outing against Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College.
Darious Leggett gets a majority of the touches for Pearl River and had nine carries versus the Bulldogs. Carlos Ransburgh and Kevon Marsh also tote the pigskin at times for the Wildcats.
"It's going to come down to what team comes out there and plays with emotion," Davis said. "It starts with guys being energized to play and focusing on their job and those are the biggest things."
It is the first trip to Pearl River for Northeast since the 2009 season. The Wildcats claimed the latest meeting between the two squads one year ago at Tiger Stadium and are ahead in the all-time series as well by a 31-4 margin.