Strong second half pushes #4 MGCCC over East Central
DECATUR, MS---Two second half turnovers and a recharged offense helped Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College put up 21 unanswered points en route to a 35-7 win over East Central. The victory was the team's first on the road in 2014 and puts the team at 3-0 overall and 1-0 in the MACJC South Division.
"We regrouped at halftime and focused on executing our game in the second half," said Gulf Coast head coach Chad Huff. "We came on the road and got a win over a good team."
After a scoreless first quarter which featured both teams losing fumbles and a missed field goal by the Bulldogs, Gulf Coast jumped out to a 14-0 lead on a 21-yard touchdown pass from Jason Smith to Tavaris McCormick and a 10-yard TD strike from Smith to Tyrone Williams with 6:33 to go in the second quarter.
East Central (1-2, 0-1) got on the board just before halftime on a 34-yard TD pass from player to player to cut the lead in half at the break.
"We had a heart-to-heart talk at halftime," said Bulldog offensive lineman Cody Vaughn. "We weren't doing our jobs in the first half and we knew we needed to get it together."
The Bulldogs used their second possession of the third quarter to extend the lead to 21-7 on another 10-yard TD strike from Smith to Williams.
The Gulf Coast defense turned up the heat on the Warriors in the fourth quarter as pressure up the middle caused an errant East Central pass to be tipped and intercepted by Tony Bridges, who took it 32 yards for a score making it 28-7 with 12:07 left.
"They don't throw my way that much," said Bridges, an Auburn commit, "So when they do I have to be ready. We got the win, but have to keep working hard and get better as a team."
Another Bulldog interception by linebacker Ian Magandy deep in Warrior territory set up Smith's 3-yard TD scamper. The 35-7 win was the 12th straight by the Bulldogs over the Warriors.
"We have lots of mistakes to correct, but anytime you come out with a win you have to be pleased," Huff added.
Jevon Floyd maneuvers through the East Central defense after catching a pass Sept. 11.
