BOONEVILLE, Miss. - The Northeast Mississippi Community College football team has played division rival East Mississippi Community College close over the last several meetings.
The Tigers led in the second half during two of the past three contests between these programs while the third ended as a one possession game. However, Northeast could not quite get past the Lions.
That all changed during week seven of the 2022 season. Northeast captured another marquee victory with a 31-21 decision over seventh-rated East Mississippi on Thursday, October 13 at Tiger Stadium.
"I couldn't be any more excited or proud. This is awesome," said Tigers head coach Greg Davis. "We won the special teams battle and we won the turnover battle and that's what made the difference tonight. It was a great team effort. We're pumped up."
It was Northeast's first win over the Lions since a 49-42 thriller on October 7, 2010 in Scooba. It was also the first time that the Tigers beat East Mississippi in the City of Hospitality since the 2004 campaign.
This was Northeast's second victory over a ranked opponent this year. Ironically, Hinds Community College also appeared at No. 7 in the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) poll when the Tigers defeated them in their season opener.
The Lions (4-3, 2-2) landed the first punch in this prize fight by returning the opening kickoff of the game 89 yards for a touchdown. However, Northeast battled right back on its first offensive play from scrimmage.
Carter Putt's pass over the middle of the field found Kylan Garrett, who sprinted untouched to the end zone for a 65-yard touchdown. Guy Gillespie's point after evened things up at 7-7 less than 30 seconds into the matchup.
Putt and Garrett hooked up once again three minutes later after the Tigers' defense forced a three-and-out on East Mississippi's ensuing possession. The second verse went for 55 yards and gave Northeast a lead that it did not relinquish at 14-7.
Garrett set a new career-high with 128 receiving yards on only three catches. It was the third 100-plus yard performance of his tenure with the Tigers and the first of his sophomore campaign.
"I had to break out the real speed that I've got," said Garrett. "I told my coaches to put it in my hands. Before the game, I just dreamed of making these big plays and it just happened. It just feels great."
Northeast (4-3, 2-2) transitioned a bad snap on a punt attempt by the Lions into its next points. Goldman Butler, VI capitalized on the miscue with a short touchdown run that extended the Tigers' advantage to 21-7 at the halftime break.
Turnovers set up both of Northeast's scores in the second half. Kenny Byrd ruined East Mississippi's inaugural possession of the third quarter with a 42-yard interception return into the red zone.
Gillespie pushed the Tigers ahead 24-7 six plays later with a 23-yard field goal. It was his seventh make of the year, which is tied for the most in the Mississippi Association of Community Colleges Conference (MACCC).
DQ Watkins scooped up a fumble that was forced by Javian Gipson-Holmes later in the period. Butler, VI made the Lions pay by scampering nine yards across the goal line to make the score 31-14 in favor of Northeast.
Byrd's pick and Watkins' fumble were two of seven total takeaways by the Tigers. Jacoby McQuiller guided the defensive effort with a career-high 10 takedowns along with 1.5 tackles for loss, two forced fumbles, one fumble recovery and an interception.
"I'm thanking God that I'm here to make the plays I'm making," said McQuiller. "My coaches believe in me. I had to believe in myself. It felt good just to step up. I've got to do whatever I've got to do to get the job done."
Shaundell Carter fell on a loose ball while Eddie Fisk, Jr., snagged his first interception in a black-and-gold uniform. Triston Newson recorded his seventh consecutive double-digit tackling performance with 15 stops.
Putt was 10 of 22 through the air for 194 yards while Butler, VI had a game-best 57 yards on 15 carries. Northeast did not score in the final quarter, but controlled the clock for just under 10 minutes to wrap up the win.
"We've got a bunch of confidence in ourselves as a team," Putt said. "I'm literally speechless at how good the o-line played. They had a heck of a game. Once we got the run game established, we were able to run the clock out at the end."
The Tigers play their final road contest of the regular season on Thursday, October 20 by visiting Coahoma Community College. Kickoff is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. in Clarksdale.