This past Saturday was a great day to be a Coahoma Community College football fan. The Tigers defeated Mississippi Delta Community College 21-6 on homecoming. With the victory, CCC is 3-1 on the season; the Trojans are 2-2.
“I feel good,” said CCC coach Travis Macon. “Homecoming, a lot of fans came out to support. It wasn’t pretty, but we’re just glad to bring home the victory.”
With MDCC leading 6-0 in the opening quarter, Coahoma running back Queston "QJ" Skipper, a Clarksdale High School graduate, scored on an eight-yard rushing TD. The score was tied 6-6 with 1:48 remaining in the first quarter.
The Tigers took a 12-6 lead with 1:14 left to go in the opening half when Skipper once again scored off an eight-yard touchdown run. The score remained 12-6 in favor of CCC at halftime.
Skipper lost a fumble on the opening kickoff, but the defense stopped the Trojans from scoring and he came back with two touchdowns.
“One thing we preach every day we’re a team,” Macon said. “One of our brothers make a mistake, the next one’s got to pull the load and get the ball back for us.”
In the second half, the Trojans did not score, but Coahoma tallied nine points. The Tigers won the game by a final score of 21-6.
The CCC defense played exceptionally well as they kept the MDCC offense scoreless throughout the final three quarters of play. Coahoma recorded six sacks, 10 tackles for a loss, 10 QB hits, five pass breakups, and three turnovers. Defensive back Marlon Windham registered two interceptions. Kasimir Absolu recovered a fumble. Macon described the defense's play as being "lights out."
William Payne missed most of his field goal attempts and PATs, but he made a 30-yard field goal when it mattered to give the Tigers a 15-6 advantage.
“He always seems to be there when we really need him, so I’m proud of him,” Macon said. “We’ve just got to go fix the mental mistakes and just bounce and keep getting better each week.”
The Coahoma offense finished the game with 247 rushing yards and 178 passing yards, while going 6-of-13 on third down. In six trips to the red zone, the Tigers produced 21 points. While Macon felt as though CCC "left some points out there," he was ultimately "pleased with the offense."
The Tigers are now 6-3 under Macon with four of those six wins being by at least seven points. "I think the program is on the uprise," Macon said after Saturday's game. "I'm very happy (with) where we are right now. I look forward to the next week."
Coahoma's next game is on Thursday, Sept. 30, at Holmes Community College. The matchup is scheduled to begin at 6:30 p.m.
Clarksdale Press Register managing editor Josh Troy contributed to this report.
