N O R T H E A S T
M I S S I S S I P P I
C O M M U N I T Y
C O L L E G E
F O O T B A L L
Students, Fans, Alumni, On behalf of Northeast Mississippi Community College, welcome to the greatest institution in the United States! Here at NEMCC, we have a tradition in all sports of exhibiting not only a championship atmosphere, but one of class, integrity, and professionalism. We are proud of the student/athletes that have chosen to attend Northeast. We are thankful each of you have chosen to attend this athletic event. While our students are here, our goal is to provide opportunities of personal growth through cutting edge instruction in the classroom and athletic programs. Northeast recognizes that its primary commitment is to the education of our student-athlete. Our vision is to develop one of the premier athletic programs in the nation. To that end, the completion of our Baseball/Softball complex was certainly a step in the right direction. In addition, the beginning of our Game, Set, Match capital giving campaign for our state of the art tennis complex shows our continued commitment to excellence. Recently Northeast was recognized as an Apple Distinguished School. Receiving this coveted honor exhibits to the world our commitment to cutting edge technology within our instructional process. I hope you will have time prior to or after this athletic event to walk or drive around our campus and get a small glance at what we have to offer. You are welcome to visit anytime with our students, faculty, and staff. We are happy to have each of you as part of the Northeast family. Please feel free to contact me should the need ever arise. As you leave campus after this event, we wish you the very best and safe travels. Sincerely,
Dr. Ricky G. Ford, President Northeast Mississippi Community College
NEMCC BOARD OF TRUSTEES
T. Jack Ramsey Chairman Tenure of Service: 1983 Tishomingo County Banker
Tracie Langston Tenure of Service: 2004 Prentiss County Businesswoman
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Vance Witt Vice Chairman Tenure of Service: 2007 Union County Retired Businessman
Sam McCoy Tenure of Service: 1988 Prentiss County Businessman
Kathy Shappley Secretary Tenure of Service: 2016 Tippah County Retired Educator
Larry Mitchell Tenure of Service: 2015 Alcorn County Retired Educator
John Anderson Tenure of Service: 2016 Alcorn County Educator
Katie Moreland Tenure of Service: 2020 Prentiss County Retired Educator
Ken Basil Tenure of Service: 2008 Union County Retired Educator
Lonnie Murphy Tenure of Service: 2020 Prentiss County Retired Educator
Christie Holly Tenure of Service: 2014 Tishomingo County Superintendent of Education
Bubba Pounds Tenure of Service: 2020 Prentiss County Chancery Clerk
Douglas Jackson Tenure of Service: 1995 Tippah County Retired Educator
Mike Stanten Tenure of Service: 2021 Union County Bank President
Luzene Triplett Tenure of Service: 2002 Prentiss County Retired Educator
N O R T H E A S T
M I S S I S S I P P I
C O M M U N I T Y
C O L L E G E
F O O T B A L L
NEMCC FOOTBALL COACHES
Greg Davis Head Coach
Jonathan Webster Defensive Coordinator
A.J. Erdely Offensive Coordinator
Parrish Huddleston Defensive Line Coach
Cedric Shell Linebackers Coach
Cole Rotenberry Wide Receivers Coach
Don Knowles Operations Manager Sodexo USA
Chasity Moore Cheerleading Coach
Travor Pratt Volunteer Coach
NEMCC ATHLETIC SUPPORT STAFF
Kent Farris Athletic Director
T.J. Robbins Director of Sports Medicine
Zach Marro Assistant Athletic Trainer
Blake Long Ryan Moreland Sports Information Sports Information Director Specialist
Jody Presley “Voice of the Tigers” NEMCCTV.com
Carter Smith “Voice of the Tigers” NEMCCTV.com
SEASON PREVIEW:
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NEMCC ENTERS PLAYOFF ERA OF NJCAA FOOTBALL WITH TALENT LADEN TEAM
he Northeast Mississippi Community College football team made good use of its time in the limelight during the 2020 campaign. The Tigers, who were one of only 18 twoyear college programs to compete during the fall semester, finished as the Mississippi Association of Community Colleges Conference (MACCC) North Division runner-up with a 5-1 record and earned a No. 13 national ranking according to JCGridiron. Football is back in its usual autumn slot on the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) calendar. However, there are some differences in 2021 after the NJCAA created a divisional system with two separate championship games. Northeast and the entire MACCC are classified as NJCAA Division I. There will be a fourteam playoff to crown a national champion at this level with the semifinals taking place at on-campus locations and the title contest emanating from War Memorial Stadium in Little Rock, Ark.
So the Tigers have a bigger prize to shoot for than ever before during the 62nd all-time campaign in school history. However, they will do so with a proverbial target on their back following the many successes of the previous season. Greg Davis, who begins his seventh year as Northeast’s headman, is once again thrilled with the talent that he and his fellow coaches have assembled in the City of Hospitality. “Our coaching staff has done an amazing job with the roster,” he said. “I feel really confident in where we are offensively. We bring back some explosive players at the skill positions. Defensively, we’re led by the front there’s no doubt about it. This defense is going to be really good. We’re moving in the right direction.” Bolstering those good vibes are seven student-athletes that are returning for an additional sophomore season after the NJCAA provided an extra year of eligibility in all sports as a response to the coronavirus pandemic. Taking advantage of that unique opportu-
nity are defensive backs Keyshawn Cobb and Tony Washington; defensive linemen Jamal Ellis, Cedric Hillsman and Stephon McGlaun; linebacker Jamarcus Smith and offensive lineman Will Derico. Smith has a chance to make more history as the first person to lead the Tigers in tackling for three consecutive seasons. He recently became Northeast’s inaugural College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA) Academic All-America® selection. The Saltillo native has accumulated 147 stops, which breaks down 89 as a freshman and 58 one year ago. Smith has also produced 15.5 tackles for loss, four sacks, four forced turnovers and three blocked kicks. Standing in the way of Smith and a record that would most likely never be matched are several teammates that excel at tackling themselves such as Carter Bonds of Corinth, Tunica’s Reginald Hughes and Triston Newson from Independence. Continued on page 6
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N O R T H E A S T
M I S S I S S I P P I
C O M M U N I T Y
C O L L E G E
F O O T B A L L
NORTHEAST 2021 FOOTBALL ROSTER HEAD COACH
Greg Davis (7th Year- Texas Christian University)
OFFENSIVE COORDINATOR
A.J. Erdely 1st Year- University of Alabama at Birmingham)
DEFENSIVE COORDINATOR Jonathan Webster (2nd Year- Arkansas Tech University)
DEFENSIVE LINE COACH
Parrish Huddleston (2ndYear- University of Tennessee at Martin)
WIDE RECEIVERS COACH Cole Rotenberry (1st Year- Mississippi College)
LINEBACKERS COACH Cedric Shell (3rd Year- Alcorn State University)
VOLUNTEER COACHES
Michael Bogan Travor Pratt
PRESIDENT
Dr. Ricky Ford (7th Year- Mississippi State University)
ATHLETIC DIRECTOR
Kent Farris (7th Year- University of North Alabama)
SPORTS INFORMATION DIRECTOR
Blake Long (9th Year- University of Mississippi)
SPORTS INFORMATION SPECIALIST
Ryan Moreland (1st Year- Mississippi State University)
DIRECTOR OF ATHLETIC TRAINING
T.J. Robbins (4th Year- University of West Alabama)
ASSISTANT ATHLETIC TRAINER Ziggy Marro (2nd Year- University of West Alabama)
STUDENT ATHLETIC TRAINERS Alec Barnes Artaveion High Brian Dowdy Shamarquces Smith Tiara Slemon
MANAGERS
Cody Bain Conner Clinton Kimble Dillinger Elgin Harris Anzayvian Hudson Cody Johnson Xavier Scruggs Brock Seago Johnathan Shanks
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#
Name
Class
Position
Height
Weight
Hometown
High School
0........ Khi Holiday.................................... Freshman..................WR.................5’9”..................155...................Tupelo, Miss...................Tupelo Christian Prep 1........ Marcus Rule.................................. Freshman..................DB................5’11”.................180................... Tunica, Miss............................ Rosa Fort 1........ Cedrick Wilder, Jr...........................Sophomore.................WR.................6’3”..................180..................Flowood, Miss.........................Pelahatchie 2........ Tony Washington..........................Sophomore.................DB.................6’0”..................200................Horn Lake, Miss........................Horn Lake 3........ Mondrel Boykins........................... Freshman..................WR.................5’9”..................170................... Tunica, Miss............................ Rosa Fort 4........ Max Favre..................................... Freshman..................QB.................5’9”..................155..............Bay St. Louis, Miss................... St. Stanislaus 5........ Carter Putt.................................... Freshman..................QB................5’11”.................200................ Columbus, Miss.................. Heritage Academy 5........ Jamarcus Smith............................Sophomore................. LB..................6’1”..................205................... Saltillo, Miss...............................Saltillo 6........ Delvon Fegans.............................. Freshman..................DB................5’11”.................180....................Oxford, Ala................................Oxford 7........ JT Moore....................................... Freshman..................QB.................6’3”..................210................... Shelby, Miss............................ Northside 7........ Keyshawn Cobb............................Sophomore.................DB.................6’0”..................200................. Fort Valley, Ga....................... Peach County 8........ AC Graham.................................... Freshman..................QB.................6’3”..................190.................... Atlanta, Ga...................... Riverwood Charter 9........ Reginald Hughes........................... Freshman.................. LB..................6’2”..................260................... Tunica, Miss............................ Rosa Fort 10...... Kevin Nelson................................. Freshman..................DB................5’11”.................185.................... Walls, Miss........................ Lake Cormorant 11...... Dallas Payne................................. Freshman..................WR.................6’4”..................210..............Bay St. Louis, Miss................... St. Stanislaus 12...... Caleb Anderson............................. Freshman..................WR.................6’4”..................210................. Brandon, Miss........................... Brandon 13...... Cam Coleman................................ Freshman..................WR................5’10”.................180.................. St. Louis, Mo........................Cardinal Ritter 14...... Stephon McGlaun.........................Sophomore................. DL..................6’3”..................250...................Tupelo, Miss...............................Tupelo 15...... John Ellis Murrah........................... Freshman................. K/P.................5’7”..................170...................Corinth, Miss. ........................... Corinth 16...... Kylan Garrett................................. Freshman..................WR.................5’9”..................165.............Independence, Miss..................Independence 17...... Kris Sides...................................... Freshman..................WR.................6’2”..................185................ Hernando, Miss......................... Hernando 18...... John Daniel Deaton....................... Freshman................ P/QB...............5’11”.................160................Booneville, Miss.........................Booneville 19...... Quae Shorty.................................. Freshman..................DB................5’10”.................165.................Coldwater, Miss......................Independence 20...... Deidrick Orange............................ Freshman.................. LB..................6’2”..................220................ Senatobia, Miss......................... Senatobia 21...... Tyler Shorter................................Sophomore.................DB.................6’0”..................180................... Sardis, Miss......................... North Panola 22...... Cayden Betts................................. Freshman.................. RB..................6’0”..................205...................Corinth, Miss............................. Corinth 23...... Gary Banks, II................................ Freshman.................. RB.................5’10”.................195..............Olive Branch, Miss.....................Olive Branch 24...... Goldman Butler, VI........................ Freshman.................. RB..................6’0”..................230...............Biggersville, Miss.......................Biggersville 25...... Javian Gipson-Holmes................... Freshman..................DB.................5’8”..................170...................Oxford, Miss..............................Oxford 26...... Tam Patterson.............................. Freshman.................. RB..................5’9”..................185...................Corinth, Miss............................. Corinth 27...... Steven Edwards............................ Freshman..................DB................5’11”.................170................... Sardis, Miss......................... North Panola 28...... Scott Norphlet............................... Freshman..................DB.................5’8”..................150...................Oxford, Miss..............................Oxford 29...... Brandon Mercer............................ Freshman.................. LB.................5’11”.................190................ Senatobia, Miss......................... Senatobia 30...... Carter Bonds................................. Freshman.................. LB.................5’10”.................220...................Corinth, Miss............................. Corinth 32...... Willie Latham, III............................ Freshman.................. LB.................5’10”.................220................. Madison, Miss...............Madison-Ridgeland Aca. 33...... Tabias Brown................................ Freshman..................DB.................6’0”..................160...................Oxford, Miss......................Lafayette County 34...... Deonta Barnes.............................. Freshman..................DB................5’10”.................175................ Lexington, Miss...............Holmes County Central 35...... Rashad Thomas............................ Freshman..................DB................5’10”.................230................ Senatobia, Miss......................... Senatobia 42...... Triston Newson............................. Freshman.................. LB..................6’1”..................225.............Independence, Miss..................Independence 44...... Jakeven Green............................... Freshman.................. DL .................6’4”..................290................ Senatobia, Miss......................... Senatobia 45...... Shaundell Carter........................... Freshman.................. LB..................6’1”..................195....................Ripley, Miss. ............................. Ripley 48...... Kelton Law.................................... Freshman.................. LB..................6’2”..................225.............. Winter Garden, Fla..........................Ocoee 49...... Cedric Hillsman.............................Sophomore................. DL..................6’0”..................245................. Fort Valley, Ga....................... Peach County 54...... Keaton McIntosh........................... Freshman.................. DL .................6’3”..................275...................Oxford, Miss......................Lafayette County 55...... Brantley Prescott.......................... Freshman.................. OL..................6’2”..................290................ Columbus, Miss.................. Heritage Academy 56...... Tommy Branyan............................ Freshman.................. OL..................6’1”..................270................ Hernando, Miss......................... Hernando 57...... Jacob Brannon.............................. Freshman.................. OL..................6’4”..................270.................. Winona, Miss............................. Winona 59...... Jaquan Toney................................ Freshman.................. OL..................6’3”..................285..................Huntsville, Ala........................Mae Jemison 62...... CJ Murrell...................................... Freshman.................. OL..................6’3”..................320................ Savannah, Tenn......................Hardin County 72...... Will Derico.....................................Sophomore................. OL..................6’4”..................305............... Montgomery, Ala.....................Robert E. Lee 74...... D.J. King......................................... Freshman.................. OL..................6’2”..................280.................. Byhalia, Miss............................. Byhalia 75...... Ben Mauney.................................. Freshman.................. OL..................6’0”..................315................Booneville, Miss.........................Booneville 77...... Billy Johnson................................. Freshman.................. OL..................6’3”..................285................Booneville, Miss.........................Booneville 79...... Bryce Harley................................. Freshman.................. OL..................6’5”..................285................Horn Lake, Miss........................Horn Lake 80...... DK Gaines...................................... Freshman..................WR.................6’1”..................210...................Corinth, Miss............................. Corinth 81...... Calvin Jones, Jr............................... Freshman.................. TE..................6’3”..................210...................Corinth, Miss............................. Corinth 82...... Jay Wortham.................................. Freshman..................WR................5’10”.................160...................Oxford, Miss. ............................Oxford 83...... Ricky Farmer................................. Freshman..................WR.................6’1”..................190................... Sardis, Miss......................... South Panola 89...... Kortlen Wilfawn............................. Freshman................LS/TE...............6’3”..................225...................Oxford, Miss..............................Oxford 90...... D.Q. Watkins................................... Freshman.................. DL..................6’4”..................260...................Oxford, Miss......................Lafayette County 92...... Quay Edwards............................... Freshman.................. DL..................6’2”..................245...................Tupelo, Miss...............................Tupelo 93...... Jamal Ellis.....................................Sophomore................. DL..................6’4”..................285................ McDonough, Ga.........................Alpharetta 94...... John Jackson................................. Freshman.................. DL..................6’1”..................280................ Columbus, Miss.................. Heritage Academy 97...... Alfernee Hankins........................... Freshman.................. DL..................6’0”..................225................Charleston, Miss....................... Charleston 99...... Quontavious Lymon...................... Freshman.................. DL .................6’1”..................280............... Greenwood, Miss....................... Greenwood
N O R T H E A S T
M I S S I S S I P P I
C O M M U N I T Y
C O L L E G E
F O O T B A L L
MS GULF COAST 2021 FOOTBALL ROSTER #
Name
Class
Position
Height
Weight
Hometown
High School
1........ Jonathan Harris...................................WR.........................Fr.................. 6’0...................170....................Hattiesburg................................ Petal 2........ DeCarlos Nicholson.............................CB........................ So.................. 6’3...................195......................... Petal..................................... Petal 2........ Philip Short.........................................QB........................ So.................. 6’2...................210.......................Flowood............... Madison-Ridgeland Academy 3........ Cam Threatt........................................DB.........................Fr.................. 6’0...................170..................... Lewisburg.............................Lewisburg 4........ Hydee Barlow......................................DL........................ So.................. 6’1...................275........................ Forest..............................Scott Central 4........ Rico Dorsey.........................................WR.........................Fr................. 5’10..................175....................Hattiesburg.................. Presbyterian Christian 5........ C.J. Williams.........................................LB........................ So................. 5’11..................220.................... Taylorsville........................... Taylorsville 6........ Jace McCoy..........................................DL........................ So.................. 6’3...................260....................... Summit.............................. North Pike 7........ Mike Smith...........................................LB........................ So.................. 6’1...................225......................... Flora................................. Ridgeland 7........ Travis Crum.........................................WR.........................Fr.................. 6’3...................180................... Daphne, Ala..............................Daphne 8........ Micah McGowan..................................RB........................ So................. 5’11..................196......................... Petal..................................... Petal 8........ Ishmael Naylor....................................LB.........................Fr.................. 6’0...................215........................DeKalb...........................Kemper County 9........ Jashon Baker.......................................DB........................ So.................. 6’0...................190..................... Tylertown............................. Tylertown 9........ Cam Thomas.......................................RB........................ So.................. 5’8...................167...................... Picayune...............................Picayune 10...... Keymari Odum.....................................WR.........................Fr.................. 5’9...................170................. Haines City Fla............................. Ridge 12...... JaQuan Copeland.................................DB........................ So.................. 6’0...................180.....................Hazlehurst........................... Hazlehurst 13...... Austin Davidson..................................QB........................ So.................. 6’3...................195...................... Meridian.........................West Lauderdale 14...... Jalen Bracey........................................WR........................ So.................. 5’9...................185....................... Jackson................................. Murrah 15...... A.J. Edwards........................................DB........................ So................. 5’11..................172.......................Madison............................Germantown 16...... K.T. Hicks.............................................WR........................ So.................. 5’8...................155......................... Petal..................................... Petal 17...... Robert McDaniel.................................DB........................ So.................. 6’2...................210....................... Jackson...................................Terry 18...... Deven Wright.......................................DL........................ So.................. 6’5...................220.....................Clarksdale......................... Desoto Central 19...... Andrew Butler.....................................QB.........................Fr.................. 6’4...................215.....................Wayne N.J..........................DePaul Catholic 20...... Levi Wyatt............................................DB.........................Fr.................. 6’1...................190..................... Vicksburg......................... Holmes County 21...... Kunta Hester.......................................DB.........................Fr.................. 6’0...................180................ New Orleans La.........................John Ehret 22...... Joseph Perryman................................LB.........................Fr.................. 6’1...................220.......................Madison......................... Madison Central 23...... Josiah Perryman.................................LB.........................Fr.................. 6’1...................210.......................Madison......................... Madison Central 24...... Chandler Williams................................DB.........................Fr................. 5’10..................170..................... Ridgeland............................. Ridgeland 25...... Kylen Armstead...................................LB.........................Fr.................. 6’4...................220...................... Starkville..............................West Point 26...... Xavier Evans.......................................RB.........................Fr.................. 5’8...................215........................ Laurel................................... Laurel 27...... Keon Preyor........................................DB.........................Fr.................. 6’0...................180....................Hattiesburg............................Oak Grove 28...... Micah Lowe.........................................WR.........................Fr................. 5’10..................181................... Lexington Ky....................Frederick Douglass 29...... John Brown.........................................DL........................ So.................. 6’2...................280....................... Jackson.................................Provine 30...... Zion Nason..........................................DL.........................Fr.................. 6’2...................280..................... Ridgeland............................. Ridgeland 31...... Jalen Grant..........................................DB.........................Fr.................. 6’2...................175....................Hattiesburg.........................North Forrest 32...... Jae’Vien Gill.........................................DL........................ So.................. 6’5...................265................Neshoba Central...................... Philadelphia 33...... Josh Phillips.........................................DB.........................Fr.................. 6’3...................205...................... Grenada............................... Grenada 35...... Coldan Carter......................................DL.........................Fr.................. 6’0...................265......................... Petal..................................... Petal 37...... Dylan Wasson....................................... K..........................Fr.................. 6’1...................165.......................Madison............................Germantown 38...... Scott Burton.......................................DL.........................Fr.................. 6’2...................243...................Bogue Chitto.................... Parklane Academy 39...... Collen Penton...................................... LS.........................Fr.................. 6’2...................230.......................Carriere...............................Picayune 40...... Greg Fortenberry................................FB.........................Fr................. 5’11..................250......................Columbia...............................Columbia 42...... George Caratan....................................P......................... So.................. 6’2...................213............Pacific Palisades Calif.............. St. Thomas More 45...... Marquez Tatum................................... TE...................... Ala.”..................Fr.....................6’4....................... “Mobile................................. LeFlore 50...... Brandon Cunningham.........................OL.........................Fr.................. 6’4...................300..................... St. Martin............................. St. Martin 56...... Ray Frazier..........................................OL........................ So.................. 6’5...................280.......................Gulfport..............................St. Patrick 64...... Jacob Cox............................................OL........................ So.................. 6’3...................315........................ Amory...................................Amory 65...... Jimmy Bennett Jr..................................OL........................ So.................. 6’2...................320........................Clinton..................................Clinton 70...... Cam Richardson..................................OL.........................Fr.................. 6’2...................325....................... Jackson.......................... Madison Central 72...... Zy Crisler.............................................OL.........................Fr.................. 6’7...................360................. Crystal Springs....................Copiah Academy 73...... Zacchaeus Williams.............................OL........................ So.................. 6’4...................320....................... Jackson................................ Callaway 75...... Percy Lewis.........................................OL........................ So.................. 6’8...................350......................... Sallis ................................ McAdams 76...... Kyle Bruce...........................................OL........................ So.................. 6’5...................345...................... Florence............................... Florence 77...... George Drake......................................OL.........................Fr.................. 6’3...................330....................... Jackson................ Madison-Ridgeland Academy 78...... Peyton Davidson.................................OL.........................Fr.................. 6’9...................350.......................Quitman............................... Quitman 80...... Antrelle Sims.......................................WR.........................Fr................. 5’10..................170....................... Wesson................................. Wesson 85...... Jamarcus Jones................................... TE.........................Fr.................. 6’4...................220.........................Union................................... Union 86...... Joshua Pedyfoot.................................. TE........................ So.................. 6’4...................290..................... Vicksburg............................. Vicksburg 88...... Cyrus Hartfield....................................WR.........................Fr................. 5’11..................175....................Hattiesburg...........................Hattiesburg 90...... Carlos Johnson....................................DL.........................Fr.................. 6’1...................275....................... Jackson...................................Terry 94...... Ricardo Williams..................................DL.........................Fr.................. 6’3...................285....................... Jackson.................................Provine 95...... Ty’Juan Keyes......................................DL.........................Fr.................. 6’1...................280....................... Hebron.............................. West Jones 97...... Keenan Landry....................................DL.........................Fr.................. 6’3...................335................... Jennings La. ........................... Jennings 99...... Levi Madison.......................................DL.........................Fr.................. 6’3...................350...................... Meridian............................... Meridian
HEAD COACH Jack Wright
DEFENSIVE COORDINATOR Dr. Brett Shufelt
DEFENSIVE LINE COACH Rod Smith
WIDE RECEIVERS COACH Bam Bryant
DEFENSIVE BACKS COACH
Clarence McDougal
OFFENSIVE LINE COACH Les George
TIGHT END/ FULLBACKS COACH
Randan Knight
RUNNING BACKS COACH Jared Burton
CORNERBACKS COACH Lashard Durr
PRESIDENT
Dr. Mary S. Graham
ATHLETIC DIRECTOR
Steven Campbell Jr.
SPORTS INFORMATION DIRECTOR Don Hammack
HEAD ATHLETIC TRAINER Dana Sharp
ASSISTANT ATHLETIC TRAINER Will McBeth
STUDENT ATHLETIC TRAINERS
Zoey Arrington Kyle Chapman Makenzie Griffith Elizabeth Jackson Kira Magee Joseph Mason Cassidy Williams
MANAGERS/ FILMERS
Nolen Black Davis Hart Elizabeth Jackson Alex Nobles Ty Richards
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N O R T H E A S T
M I S S I S S I P P I
C O M M U N I T Y
C O L L E G E
F O O T B A L L
S E A S O N P R E V I E W : C O N T I N U E D F R O M PA G E 2 Bonds lived up to his hype as the 2019 Northeast Mississippi Daily Journal Defensive Player of the Year by finishing just behind Smith with 52 tackles, including a team-best 38 solo stops. Newson drew comparisons from Davis to former NJCAA All-Region 23 performer and current Alcorn State University standout Terrance Edgeston. Hughes is a University of Mississippi (Ole Miss) commitment that is poised to have a breakout season. He had a team-high 3.5 sacks to go along with 22 total tackles during his initial campaign with the Tigers. “The linebacking corps is going to be leaders for us,” said Davis. “Carter is going to be around the football no matter what you do. (Newson) is a guy that could be as good of a football player as we’ve had at the backer position. When you throw Reginald and Jamarcus in there, we’ve got a solid group.” Northeast returns a trio of bona fide starters on the defensive line in Georgians Ellis and Hillsman plus McGlaun of Tupelo. They all received postseason awards last year after combining for 82 takedowns, 12 tackles for loss and four sacks. “Those three should be the absolute bell cows for our football team,” Davis said. “It’s going to be really interesting to see how well we respond as a defense based on those guys up front. The defense has to be our number one ally.” Adding more firepower to the Tigers’ defensive unit are Tunica’s Marcus Rule, Jr., Delvon Fegans of Oxford, Ala., Cobb from Fort Valley, Ga., and Washington of Horn Lake in the backfield. Cobb, Rule, Jr., and Washington all had at least one interception for Northeast last season. Fegans, who is rated as a three-star prospect by both Rivals and 247Sports, had multiple NCAA Division I offers out of high school. “Our defense is founded by our two solid safeties Keyshawn and Tony,” said Davis. “That secondary is going to be ready to play and I’m excited. They are as much of a part of our football team in that dynamic of what we have to do as anybody.” 6
The role of first-string quarterback has been one of the more interesting competitions throughout training camp. Several viable options are available, including JT Moore of Shelby and Heritage Academy graduate Carter Putt. Moore completed 57.7 percent of his pass attempts for 288 yards with three touchdowns in 2020. Jacksonville State (Ala.) University transfer AC Graham, who racked up nearly 5,000 yards of offense between his junior and senior campaigns at the prep level, is in the mix as well. “All of those guys are going to battle for that job,” Davis said. “AC is a guy that not only can stand in the pocket, but he can roll. He can outrun pretty much everybody on this team. JT is a big, physical presence as well.” Whoever ends up as the primary signal caller has several weapons to throw to at wideout. Topping that list is Saint Stanislaus High School alumnus Dallas Payne, who had the second-most catches (23), yards (314) and touchdowns (3) for the Tigers during the prior campaign. Western Michigan University transfer Cam Coleman was right behind Payne with 20 receptions for 238 yards with two scores in just four games. Mondrel Boykins from Tunica and tight end Calvin Jones of Corinth all have experience catching passes as well. Several newcomers are slated to make an impact at receiver, including a couple of local products such as Jay Wortham. He helped Oxford High School reach the 2020 Mississippi High School Activities Association (MHSAA) Class 6A championship contest by hauling in a team-best 17 touchdowns. Khi Holiday, who is the reigning Mississippi Association of Coaches (MAC) Class 1A Offensive Player of the Year, transitions to wideout after a sensational career at Tupelo Christian Preparatory School in which he accounted for more than 11,000 yards between passing and rushing from his sophomore to senior campaigns. Brandon’s Caleb Anderson joins Holiday as three-star additions to Northeast’s offense. Cedrick Wilder, Jr., of Pelahatchie also makes his comeback from injury after grabbing 12
receptions and one touchdown for the Tigers in 2019. “We’ve got a lot of speed there. We’ve got to get the ball out quickly and get it in their hands,” said Davis. “Dallas is going to be an integral part of what we do. Cam is a veteran player that’s going to have that leadership role.” Running back and offensive line may have more question marks than any other spots around the field for Northeast. However, capable athletes are waiting in line to take up those duties. Alcorn Countians Cayden Betts and Goldman Butler are going to get their fair share of touches. Betts, who is the defending MAC Class 4A Offensive Player of the Year, was once a United States Naval (Md.) Academy commit while Butler was a MAC Class 1A All-State recipient. Will Derico from Montgomery, Ala., and Brantley Prescott of Columbus anchor the line. Other names to keep an eye on in the trenches include three-star recruit Jaquan Toney of Huntsville, Ala., and Hernando’s Tommy Branyan. “We’ve got four really good running backs. We’re positive about that group,” Davis said. “But, like any other year, you’re only as good as your offensive line. We’ve gotta get those guys playing to the standards that we want.” John Ellis Murrah from Corinth secured All-MACCC honors as both a kicker and a punter. He was perfect on extra point tries in 21 attempts and tied Iowa Western Community College’s Cody Lindquist for the national lead with 17 punts inside the 20-yard line. Overall, the Tigers have eight All-MACCC winners returning in Derico, Hillsman, McGlaun, Murrah, Payne, Prescott, Smith and Washington. Northeast also boasts seven true freshmen that garnered MAC All-State accolades. The Tigers’ staff features defensive coordinator Jonathan Webster, linebackers coach Cedric Shell and defensive line coach Parrish Huddleston. A.J. Erdely was promoted to offensive coordinator during the offseason while Cole Rotenberry joined Northeast as wide receivers instructor.
NORTHEAST MISSISSIPPI COMMUNITY COLLEGE
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WATCH THE TIGERS LIVE AT WWW.NEMCCTV.COM NOW AVAILABLE FOR STREAMING ON THE FOLLOWING APPS:
2021 TIGER FOOTBALL SCHEDULE:
9-2 7:00 PM AT JONES
9-9 9-16 9-23 9-30 10-9 10-14 10-21 10-28 6:30 PM VS MS GULF COAST
6:30 PM VS HINDS
7:00 PM AT NORTHWEST
7:00 PM VS ITAWAMBA
7:00 PM AT EAST MS
7:00 PM VS MS DELTA
7:00 PM AT COAHOMA
6:30 PM VS HOLMES