Indians Take Emotional Win over Trojans, 34-2

Indians Pick Up Conference Win over Trojans,

 By Mark H. Stowers

Moorhead, MS – On an emotional night with tributes to fallen teammate, Emmanuel Cooks, who passed away last week after the Mississippi Delta Community College Trojans (0-5, 02 MACCC North) lost to Hinds Community College (3-2, 2-0 MACCC North,) the Trojans had energy but it wasn't enough to handle the Itawamba Indians in a 34-2 MACCC North loss.

Pre-game activities included spelling out Cook's #70 on the field by MDCC students and releasing red balloons after the game started and the first play from scrimmage, a tribute to their fallen teammate with his position number empty on the field.

The balloons were released with hopes of a win, but the Indians found a way past the Trojan energy for their fallen teammate. Penalties and turnovers halted crucial Trojan drives throughout the game. A fake punt on the Trojans' first drive was sniffed out and stopped for no gain, giving the Indians possession at the Trojan 27. Five plays later, they reached the end zone on an eight-yard TD run by Mykel Allen. The PAT made it 7-0 with 11:36 remaining in the first quarter. 

The Trojans then put together an impressive eight-play drive starting at their own 38 but a fumble at the ICC 22 yard line by quarterback Evans Schippers gave the Indians the football at their own 15 with 8:42 left in the first quarter.

After a few series of punts by both teams and an interception by the Indians of Schippers, the first quarter ended. The Indians couldn't capitalize, and the next Trojan possession ended with a Ceidrick Hunt 51-yard punt to the ICC five-yard line. On their first play, quarterback Deijay Bailey was called for intentional grounding in the end zone as he was hurried by Trojan Jermaine McRoy. Down 7-2 with 12:45 left in the second quarter, the Trojans had momentum. But that was cut short when Schippers was intercepted on a fourth and two at midfield by the Indians, who returned it 71 yards for a touchdown. The PAT made it 14-2 with 11:16 left in the first half. 

The teams traded punts, and the next MDCC drive was halted when Schippers was again intercepted, this time at midfield, with a 15-yard return. The Indians then executed a scoring drive of six plays and 45 yards, but a missed PAT left the score at 20-2 in favor of Itawamba. The scoring play was a one-yard run by Bailey.

The half ended after another Trojan drive, which concluded with a punt.

In the second half, ICC took the opening kickoff 62 yards in five plays to add another touchdown, another Bailey pass to Nate Branch for 10 yards. The PAT was good and ICC was up 27-2.

There was no scoring in the third quarter; the Indians missed a 39-yard field goal midway through. The Indians had started a drive that carried into the fourth quarter, ending with a Bailey nine-yard touchdown rush to extend the lead to 34-2 after a 10-play, 59-yard drive. Neither team scored again, even though the Indians attempted a 50-yard field goal that fell short and to the left. 

Statistically, the Trojans gained only six first downs while ICC had 19. The Trojans managed just 77 yards of total offense—95 passing and -18 rushing. The Indians totaled 259 yards—116 passing and 143 rushing. Ceidrick Hunt was again the standout for the Trojans, with 10 punts for 435 yards and a 43.5-yard average. His longest was 51 yards, and he placed three inside the 20-yard line.

Evans Shippers was 12-for-26 and 93 yards with no TDs and three interceptions. Mitchell Davis came in and was 1-for-5 for two yards.

Deijay Bailey completed 11 of 20 passes for the Indians, totaling 116 yards and one touchdown. Tavaris Coles was the leading receiver with six catches for 60 yards. Jaylen Foster led the rushing effort with 50 yards on 10 carries. Jarquez Perry was the top tackler on the defense with 10 tackles. 

The Trojan defense was led by Kameron Andrews with nine total tackles.

A bye week, then homecoming is on the Trojan schedule. Itawamba also has a bye week before hosting Coahoma Community College on October 9.