Decatur, MS-Under the rainy skies of Decatur, the East Central Community College Warriors narrowly lost their home opener at Bailey Stadium, falling 22-17 to Northwest Mississippi Community College. Despite the tough loss, the Warriors showed resilience, rallying from a 19-0 halftime deficit to nearly pull off an incredible comeback.
First Half Struggles
The first half was difficult for the Warriors, as they were down 19-0 by halftime. A safety early in the first quarter gave Northwest a 2-0 lead, followed by a 56-yard touchdown drive capped by a rushing score from Demarcus Perteet. Turnovers and an inconsistent offense plagued East Central.
Quarterback Landon Sims completed 10 of 23 passes for 104 yards but struggled to find a rhythm in the first half. A second-quarter interception led to another Northwest touchdown, and a late field goal further extended Northwest's lead to 19-0. As halftime approached, the Warriors' fans hoped for a spark, anticipating Coach Jonathan Webster's adjustments for the second half.
Warriors Rally in the Third Quarter
East Central came out with renewed energy after halftime. The defense stepped up, forcing a quick three-and-out, and the offense responded with a 50-yard touchdown drive. Sims connected with wide receiver L. Armstrong for a 38-yard score, energizing both the team and the home crowd.
Shortly after, defensive back Keoni Denny made a key interception, returning it 15 yards to set up a 30-yard field goal by kicker Cade Mangum. This cut the deficit to 19-10, and momentum was clearly shifting in East Central's favor.
Fourth Quarter Drama
The Warriors continued to pressure Northwest in the fourth quarter. Led by strong running from Karl Ligon, who gained 80 yards on 18 carries, East Central marched down the field. Sims' leadership and Ligon's tough running set up a short touchdown run from Tyler Arrington, pulling the Warriors within 19-17 with just over 14 minutes left.
The defense stood strong, forcing several Northwest punts, giving the Warriors multiple chances to take the lead. Unfortunately, East Central couldn't convert on their final possessions. One drive ended in a punt, and the last drive stalled near midfield, where the Warriors failed to convert on fourth down.
Northwest added a late field goal to extend their lead to 22-17. East Central had one last chance, starting a drive from their 25-yard line, but Northwest's defense held firm, sealing the victory.
Bright Spots for the Warriors
Despite the loss, several Warriors stood out. Donnie Smith recorded 13 tackles, leading a defense that allowed just three second-half points. Carson Graham and Delvin Whitaker each contributed six tackles, with Whitaker recording two tackles for loss.
On offense, Sims found his rhythm in the second half, spreading the ball to key playmakers like Armstrong, who finished with five catches for 78 yards and a touchdown. Special teams also played a big role, with kicker Cade Mangum hitting a 30-yard field goal and converting both extra points. Punter Nekhi Cox averaged 38.1 yards per punt, consistently pinning Northwest deep in their territory, while Arrington's 89-yard kickoff return was a game-changing moment.
Looking Ahead
Now 1-1 on the season, the Warriors must regroup as they prepare for a road game against Itawamba Community College next Thursday at 7 p.m. in Fulton.