Booneville, Miss. - The Northeast Mississippi Community College football team is ready to turn on the lights of Tiger Stadium for the first time during the 2018 campaign.
The Tigers welcome Copiah-Lincoln Community College for their final test before the start of Mississippi Association of Community and Junior Colleges (MACJC) North Division play at 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, September 6.
Those that cannot attend the matchup can watch it live and in high definition on NEMCCTV. Tune in starting at 6 p.m. for the pregame show by visiting www.nemcctv.com on any computer, smartphone or tablet.
The Northeast Broadcasting Network also includes radio affiliate WOWL Fun 91. An audio simulcast featuring Jody Presley and Carter Smith, the Voices of the Tigers, can be heard on frequencies 91.9 FM from Burnsville, 92.9 FM from Florence, Ala., and 102.3 FM from Killen, Ala.
Search and follow @NEMCCTigers on Twitter for live in-game updates and interact during the contests by using the hashtag #TigerPower across all social media platforms.
Get your game day underway by joining Northeast's student-athletes, cheerleaders, band and dancers at its inaugural pep rally at 12:10 p.m. by the fountain in front of the Haney Union.
Local ABC and NBC affiliate WTVA of Tupelo plans to broadcast live during the Tigers' pep rally. WOWL Fun 91 will be live on campus as well from 4-5:30 p.m. for Northeast's pregame tailgate near the fountain area.
Both the Tigers and Wolves enter the matchup seeking their first victory following heartbreaking road losses in their respective season openers. Northeast fell at Southwest Mississippi Community College while Co-Lin lost a one-point decision to Holmes Community College.
Greg Davis, who is in his fourth year as head coach of the Tigers, has preached in practices leading up to this pivotal meeting with the Wolves about making the response following their tough defeat that of a positive nature.
"We had a tough one last week," said Davis. "How will it carry over to this week? That's been the message all week. Are you going to show up? How much are going to compete and fight for it? That's kinda where we are. We've got to give that extra effort that we need."
Northeast (0-1) was solid on defense during its debut. The Tigers held Southwest's option based offense to just 89 rushing yards while racking up 15 tackles for loss and four sacks as a unit.
University of Mississippi (Ole Miss) commitment Sam Williams guided that effort for Northeast. He was selected as the MACJC Defensive Player of the Week after recording a game-high 10 takedowns and setting new career-bests of 5.5 tackles for loss and 2.5 sacks.
Terrance Edgeston, who is committed to the University of Houston (Texas), followed Williams closely with eight stops and a sack to his credit. Campbell (N.C.) University transfer Emmanuel Olenga had a solid outing as well with three tackles for loss.
Northeast's offense was not bad overall either. The Tigers compiled 437 total yards, which was the most since posting 463 yards in a victory at Mississippi Delta Community College on October 13, 2016.
The Tigers more specifically rolled to 268 rushing yards, which was their highest mark since tallying 315 yards on the ground on September 24, 2015 during a triumph at Coahoma Community College.
Independence's Zykeris Mosley topped that effort with a career-high 145 yards on 16 carries. Jalen Cobbs of Corinth High School also pieced together a nice performance with 18 touches and 86 yards.
Northeast averaged nearly a first down per reception. Northwest Rankin High School alumnus Montel Gladney grabbed a team-best seven passes for 61 yards while seven others made at least one catch.
Co-Lin (0-1) quarterback Hayden Davis has completed 67 percent of his passes for 220 yards. JD Hull, Antoine Robinson and Kundarrius Taylor were his top targets with three catches apiece.
Sophomore defensive back Swayze Bozeman had a game-best 13 tackles and forced a fumble one week ago. Linebacker Jakaiszer Glass also had double-digit takedowns for a Wolves' squad that had 93 total stops.
This is the first meeting between the Tigers and Co-Lin in five years. The Wolves bested Northeast 29-20 in that contest on August 29, 2013 at H.L. Stone Stadium in Wesson.
Co-Lin leads the all-time series between the two institutions 18-5. The Tigers have met the Wolves fewer times than any of the 14 football playing community colleges in the Magnolia State.