Trojans Defense Stands Tall in 28-13 loss to East Mississippi Lions

By Mark H. Stowers

Sophomore Night on Pink Out Night at Sandy Wilson Field/Jim Randall Stadium saw the Mississippi Delta Community College Trojans put together one of their best games of the season against one of their most bitter rivals, the East Mississippi Community College Lions.

The Lions took the opening kickoff and marched 79 yards in 14 plays to put up the first and what would be the only score of the first half, a three-yard TD run by Gavin Griffith, and took the lead, 7-0, with 10:00 left in the first quarter. The Trojans' offense showed signs of life, gaining 36 yards, but ended with a turnover on downs as the offense sputtered in crucial moments.

The Trojan defense came to play and kept the Lions tamed to some degree forcing punts and a turnover on downs when an East drive died at the MDCC 18 yard line.

A 46-yard field goal attempt was the closest the Trojans came to the end zone but it was blocked by the Lions with 5:22 left in the first half. East put together a six-play drive and worked down to the MDCC 25. The Trojans then intercepted Trey Irving III's pass but the play was negated by a Trojan personal foul. With 21 seconds left in the first half, the Lions decided to attempt a 37-yard field goal but missed.

The Trojan defense forced three punts and stood tall, stopping two fourth-down attempts for the Lions in the first half.

The Trojans took the second half opening kickoff but couldn't gain any momentum and had to punt. The Lions then put together their second scoring drive on the night with a 65-yard, eight-play drive to take a 14-0 lead with 9:52 left in the third quarter when Gavin Griffin ran it in from four yards out.

The Lions would miss a field goal later in the quarter but neither team could put together much offense. When the Lions blocked a Ceidrick Hunt punt and recovered on the Trojan 25-yard line, they put together a quick scoring drive ending with backup quarterback Eric McGehee eight-yard TD run to take a 21-0 lead. 

After trading punts, the next East drive ended with a 38 yard punt from the 50 yard line but the Trojans' Mincer Minor fumbled and the Lions recovered at the MDCC 12-yard line. East then converted in one play, a 12-yard TD pass from Trey Irving III to Reggie Jackson. The PAT made it 28-0 for East.

The Trojan offense came to life and put up two touchdowns in the fourth quarter. First, a 55-yard drive with six plays ending with a Chance Ross one-yard TD run. Hunt hit the PAT to make it 28-7. Then the Trojans got the ball back with 1:04 left in the game and put together a four-play, 34 yard scoring drive capped off by an Evans Schippers 19-yard TD pass to Dewayne Mosley. Hunt's PAT was blocked making the score 28-13. The Trojans then decided to kick the ball deep and Hunt dropped it on the one-yard line where the Lions picked it up for a short return. East then ran out the clock to end the game.

Stat wise, the Lions picked up 30 first downs and the Trojans had 12. The Lions had 443 yards of total offense – 234 passing and 209 rushing. The Trojans had 242 yards of offense – 169 passing and 73 yards rushing. The Lions punted five times for 176 yards and a 35.2 yard average. The Trojans punted nine times for 305 yards and a 33.9 yard average.

Trey Irving III was 20-for-41 passing for 234 yards and one TD for the Lions. Starter Mitchell Davis was 8-for-22 for 80 yards for the Trojans while previous starter Evans Schippers came off the bench from his injury earlier in the season to throw for 89 yards on a perfect 6-for-6 passing and one touchdown.

Gavin Griffin led the Lions in rushing with 84 yards on 22 attempts followed by Irving who had 78 yards on 12 rushes. Chance Ross led the Trojans with 45 yards on eight carries. Cayson Williams added 28 yards on three attempts.

Christian Thomas led the Lions in receiving with seven catches for 114 yards. The Trojans were led by Dewayne Mosley who hauled in three catches for 66 yards.

Kenyon Armstrong had a total of six tackles for the Lions while Lacoyrius Branch was credited with 11 tackles – six solo and five assists. Jermaine McRoy had 10 tackles – nine solo and one assist and Jacquian Payton had eight total tackles.

The Trojans will finish the season on the road next Thursday in Clarksdale against Coahoma who is also winless on the season. In Coahoma's road game at Northeast Thursday night, there was a skirmish with players fighting and wielding helmets. Story here. The season ending game next week will also be Coahoma's Homecoming. Game time is 6:30 p.m.