The East Central Community College Warriors found winning redemption as they handily defeated the Southwest Mississippi Community College Bears on Thursday night in Summit, 48-15.

The first score for the Warriors was at the 12:14 mark in the first quarter. The scoring play was a 14-yard pass from Chris Tucker to Lawerence Armstrong. Cade Mangum kicked the extra point, and the Warriors took the lead. The Bears answered with a touchdown drive of 70 yards. At the 7:07 mark of the first quarter, the score was tied 7-7.

The Warriors aerial attack continued with a 17-yard touchdown pass from Chris Tucker to Devontae Causey. Cade Mangum's extra point was good. East Central retakes the lead 14-7.

With 36 seconds left in the first quarter, Causey pushed in the pigskin from a yard out. Mangum had a successful PAT. At the conclusion of the first quarter, the score was Warriors 21, Bears 7.

The Warriors continued their winning ways in the second quarter. Chris Tucker ran for a 21-yard touchdown that capped off a 97-yard drive to the Promised Land. Mangum once again successfully kicked the extra point.

There would be no more scoring in the first half.

The Warriors dominated time of possession in the third quarter with a nine-minute drive. The offensive effort was capped by a 34-yard field goal by Mangum. There was no other scoring in the third quarter. The score stood at Warriors 31, Bears 7.

At the 10:57 mark of the fourth quarter, Mangum booted a 23-yard field goal through the uprights. The Bears scored a rushing touchdown and had a successful 2-point conversion. The score was East Central 34, Southwest 15. Just seventeen seconds later the Warriors found the endzone once again. Causey scored his third touchdown on a 2-yard run to paydirt. Mangum kicked another successful PAT. With 4:25 remaining in the game, Keshawn Henley had a 5-yard touchdown run. Mangum was a busy fellow on this night. He contributed 12 points to the Warrior score. He had six extra points and two field goals.

When the buzzer sounded, the final score was Warriors 48, Bears 15.

The Warriors were an offensive machine, they had 421 total yards. Tucker passed for 273 yards and 2 touchdowns. He completed 23 of 30 pass attempts. The rushing yards totaled 134. The Warriors improved their record to 2-3 and 1-2 in division play.

Next week the Warriors will return home to face the unbeaten Northeast Tigers at Bailey Stadium in Decatur, MS. The game begins at 6:30. Come enjoy Homecoming 2023, Warrior style!

Story by ECCC student, Ben Land