ECCC offense falters in 32-10 loss to Jones

East Central Community College's highly-rated rushing offense never got on track on a rain-soaked Warrior field Thursday night but conditions did not seem to bother the visiting Jones County Junior College Bulldogs who cruised to a 32-10 MACJC South Division victory at Bailey Stadium.

The Warriors, who dropped to 1-3 overall and 0-2 in division play under interim head coach Brian Anderson, had just 169 yards in total offense, most of which came via the passing game.

Sophomore quarterback Emmanual Taylor, who is one of the nation's top passers, completed 14 of 29 attempts for 159 yards in the loss. Taylor, a product of Early County High School in Blakely, Ga., was rated 17th in the nation and sixth in the state prior to the division matchup. His top receiver against Jones County was sophomore Antonio Hughes of Morton, who had six catches for 63 yards.

Warrior workhorse Derrick Cade, who was ranked fourth in the state and nation with a 115-yard average per game, managed just 16 yards on six carries.

Return specialist CJ Estelle provided the only scoring highlight for East Central, when his 69-yard punt return midway in the third period cut the Jones lead to 27-10 following Chad Mangum's PAT. Estelle is a sophomore from Childersburg, Ala. Mangum, a freshman from Aberdeen and product of Oak Hill Academy, also connected on a 23-yard field goal early in first-period action to give EC a 3-0 advantage.

For Jones County, which improved to 2-2 overall and 2-0 in division competition, the running game was most effective as freshman Bubba Brown rambled for 152 yards on 36 carries and scored two touchdowns - a 15-yard scamper in the first period and a 23-yard run in the third stanza. Brown, of Kissimmee, Fla., is a product of Osceola High School.

Freshman Bobcat quarterback Brian Robinson completed seven of 18 passes for 87 yards and one touchdown - a 30-yard strike to sophomore receiver Jamieon Keys of Taylorsville in the final seconds of first half action. Robinson hails from Tallwood High School in Virginia Beach, Va.

Jones' other scores came on a 59-yard punt return by Jared Quinn of Oak Grove High School early in the second period, and a 40-yard field goal by Jacob Chancellor of Quitman early in the fourth quarter. Chancellor made four of five PATs. The Bobcats put the final points on the scoreboard when Warrior running back Dontice Sanders of Wetumpka, Ala., was tackled in the end zone for a safety late in the game.

East Central continues division competition Thursday by traveling to Southwest Mississippi College Community. Kickoff is set for 6:30 p.m. on the Summit campus. The Bears are also 1-3 overall and 0-2 in the division following their 15-3 loss to Copiah-Lincoln Community College Thursday in Wesson.