MOORHEAD, Miss. - The Northeast Mississippi Community College football team looks to gain a measure of revenge during the first of two weekend contests over the final month of the regular season.
The Tigers travel to Mississippi Delta Community College on Saturday, October 5. A rare matinee kickoff of 2:30 p.m. is scheduled at Jim Randall Stadium.
Northeast plays three of its final four games on the road beginning its date against the Trojans. The Tigers step outside of their Mississippi Association of Community and Junior Colleges (MACJC) North Division slate next week by visiting Jones College.
Those that cannot attend the matchup can watch it live and in high definition on NEMCCTV. Tune in starting at 2 p.m. for the pregame show by visiting www.nemcctv.com on any computer, smartphone or tablet.
Amazon Fire and Roku television subscribers can also view the Tigers' pigskin contests all year by searching for "Northeast Mississippi Community College" on each respective app.
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 throughout the event by using the hashtag #TigerPower across all social media platforms.
Northeast has not participated in a Saturday afternoon game since October 19, 2017. The Tigers racked up 49 points, which is the fifth highest score in a single game in program history, in a heartbreaking loss at Holmes Community College.
This is Northeast's first weekend tilt at Mississippi Delta since October 14, 2006. The Tigers set the mark for most points ever scored against the Trojans that day with a decisive 48-25 victory.
Mississippi Delta ruined Northeast's homecoming one year ago after holding an over 13-minute edge in time of possession. The Tigers hope to turn the same trick this season after being selected as the Trojans' homecoming opponent.
"What scares me is the actual scrambling ability by their quarterback and him throwing (the ball) up," said Northeast head coach Greg Davis. "It was a disappointing loss last year. We have to get on them quickly and get what we need done."
The Tigers, who boast the top ranked passing defense in the entire country, are in for another test against a Mississippi Delta squad that is coming off a season-best 408-yard performance versus Coahoma Community College.
The Trojans (1-4, 1-2) have mixed two quarterbacks into their rotation throughout the campaign, but Southeastern Louisiana University transfer Byron Walker posted a career-high 384 passing yards and three touchdowns one week ago.
Mississippi Delta also features the top running back statistically in the MACJC North Division in Patrick Jackson, who has rushed for 411 yards and an average of 4.3 yards per touch through five outings as a sophomore.
Northeast counters defensively with the one-two punch of linebackers Terry Joiner of Macon and Saltillo's Jamarcus Smith, who have combined for 79 takedowns, 11 tackles for loss and four sacks.
Cedric Hillsman from Fort Valley, Ga., is sixth in the MACJC with 7.5 tackles for loss. Ten different athletes have recorded at least one sack while the Tigers have forced 10 total turnovers as a unit.
Northeast (3-2, 2-1) also checks in at sixth overall in the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) and second in the Magnolia State with only 192.4 yards allowed per game.
Jack Mangel of Athens, Ga., is on the verge of becoming the sixth consecutive starting quarterback for the Tigers to throw for more than 1,000 yards in a season. That stretch started under Brett Thompson during the 2014 campaign.
The duo of Patrick Felton from Tifton, Ga., and Mangel combine for a 59.5 completion percentage, which is third best in the NJCAA. Six Northeast standouts have double-digit receptions, including a team-high 22 for Montel Gladney of Flowood.
Four of the Tigers' five outings so far this season ended up as tight one possession games, including their thrilling victory over Itawamba Community College last week. All five contests have been decided by less than 10 points.