MILITARY APPRECIATION NIGHT HIGHLIGHTS ANNUAL BATTLE OF MACJC'S TIGERS

Northeast honors the United States Armed Forces with its Military Appreciation Night. Admission for veterans & service members is free.
Northeast honors the United States Armed Forces with its Military Appreciation Night. Admission for veterans & service members is free.

Booneville, Miss. - The Northeast Mississippi Community College football program will pay its respect to some of the bravest men and women on the planet during its divisional opener.

 

Northeast welcomes Coahoma Community College for its Mississippi Association of Community and Junior Colleges (MACJC) yearly battle of the Tigers. Kickoff is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. at Tiger Stadium.

 

The game is also Northeast's annual Military Appreciation Night. Current soldiers or officers and retired veterans from any branch of service may show their military identification to gain free admission to the Tigers' second consecutive home contest.

 

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 game day started the right way by joining Northeast's student-athletes, cheerleaders, band and dancers at a pep rally beginning at 12:10 p.m. by the fountain in front of the Haney Union.

 

"I tell everybody that the number one fraternity in the whole world and in my opinion the best thing about this country is our military," said Northeast head coach Greg Davis. "We're thankful for not only their service, but for the wounded warriors and the people that have died for our country.

 

"People don't understand the freedoms that we have and the freedoms that these guys help us live every single day for. This is truly the greatest country in the world. I'm proud to say that we're always going to support them."

 

Both sets of Tigers are seeking their initial victory of the 2018 campaign after falling to MACJC South Division opponents in the first two weeks. Northeast lost by a combined 19 points to Copiah-Lincoln Community College and Southwest Mississippi Community College.

 

Coahoma's losses are to two teams that are currently ranked by the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) in Jones College and Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College.

 

Northeast's defense has lived up to its hype so far this season. The Tigers have racked up a phenomenal 25 tackles for loss, including six sacks, during the early goings of the new year.

 

Sam Williams of Montgomery, Ala., and Campbell (N.C.) University transfer Emmanuel Olenga guide the group of Northeast standouts that make a habit of residing in their opponents' backfield. The two defensive ends have a combined 13 tackles for loss.

 

Williams, who is committed to the University of Mississippi, is fourth nationally and tops in the Magnolia State with seven tackles for loss individually. He is also tied for ninth in the NJCAA and again leads the MACJC with 3.5 sacks.

 

University of Houston (Texas) commit Terrance Edgeston has a team-high 20 takedowns for Northeast. Reigning MACJC All-State selection Juwan Taylor from Jackson is next for the Tigers with 16 stops.

 

Quarterback Zac Oden of Montevallo, Ala., guides Northeast offensively with 257 passing yards and three touchdowns. Northwest Rankin High School graduate Montel Gladney is the first Tiger to reach double-digit receptions.

 

The tandem of Jalen Cobbs from Corinth and Independence's Zykeris Mosley are at the forefront of Northeast's ground attack. They have a combined 234 yards on 49 carries with one touchdown credited to Mosley.

 

The visiting Tigers are led by Myron Norfleet, who has completed 48 percent of his passes for 210 yards. Freshman Legend Moore is his primary target with nine catches for 77 yards and one score.

 

Coahoma's offense also boasts former Texas Christian University (TCU) signee Fabian Franklin. The Tigers are paced defensively by Tony Bowman's 13 takedowns and three tackles for loss.

 

Northeast leads the all-time series between these two institutions 34-8. The homestanding Tigers won the most meeting in Clarksdale one year ago by a 27-10 margin.