Coahoma Community College did not win any football games in 2018 and has been toward the bottom of the standings for several years, but the program took a giant step in the season opener Thursday night.
The Tigers (1-0) defeated the No. 4 ranked team in the National Junior College Athletic Association and last season’s state runner-up Jones County Junior College 18-10.
“It’s a signature win for our program,” said CCC coach Steven Miller. “A lot of people are going to be shocked when they see this, but we’re not shocked. We knew we had a great football team and we showed it tonight.”
Trailing 7-6 at halftime, the Tigers came out and scored two touchdowns in the opening six minutes of the third quarter to take an 18-7 lead.
Tajh Tolbert completed a 77-yard pass to Deldrionn Amos with 13:30 remaining in the third quarter to put CCC ahead 12-7.
C.J. Johnson intercepted a pass for the Tigers on the Bobcats’ ensuing drive and took the ball to the Jones 49 with 12:31 remaining in the third quarter. CCC was in a fourth down situation, attempted to punt and the Bobcats fumbled. The Tigers recovered the fumble, but were still unable to score.
However, CCC recovered a fumble at the Jones 2-yard-line.
Dewayne Betts capitalized with a 2-yard touchdown run with 9:12 remaining in the third quarter to extend CCC’s lead to 18-7.
Miller said he went into the locker room at halftime and told the Tigers they were a good football team.
They showed it by giving up three points in the second half and none in the first half. Jones’ first-half touchdown came on a blocked punt.
Miller praised the school’s support.
“I see more teachers here than parents,” he said. “They love these kids. We love these kids.”
Amos scored his first of two touchdowns on the night with 2:42 remaining in the first quarter when he caught a 35-yard pass from Tolbert.
Tajh Tolbert finished with 213 passing yards, Tyler Grim had 42 rushing yards, Amos had 112 receiving yards.
The Tigers are at Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College (1-0) at 7 p.m. Thursday.
MGCCC is coming off of a 49-9 victory at Mississippi Delta Community College in the season opener.
While the Tigers may have a target on their back after their win in the season opener, Miller said they will keep their foot on the gas and work as hard as they did prior to the opener.
“It’s all about composure and poise,” Miller said. “This group of young men is grown a—men. They’re grown a—men. They’re going to do the right things and they’re going to bust their butt – every kid.”
