East Central Community College’s Warriors will be seeking a third-straight victory over Northeast Mississippi Community College when the 2010 season gets under way Thursday, Sept. 2 on the Decatur campus.

The Warriors rallied from a 28-14 deficit late in the third quarter to claim a stunning 34-28 homecoming victory in overtime for interim head coach Brian Anderson in 2009. The previous year EC rolled 38-7 and spoiled the Tigers’ homecoming on the Booneville campus. Anderson was in his first year on the EC staff, serving as offensive coordinator under head coach Steve Cheatham.

Anderson, who officially became ECCC’s head football coach following the 2009 campaign, said he expects the Tigers to have a little revenge on their minds. 

“We were very fortunate to win last year’s game…very fortunate,” Anderson said of the come-back win. “Northeast did a great job of recruiting after the 2008 season and had a much, much different team in 2009. They lost a lot of sophomores to Division I schools last year, and I know they will reload just like they did the year before and really come at us. It should be a great game.”

In looking toward the season opener, Anderson said he really does not know what to expect from the Tigers, who are picked to finish near the bottom of the MACJC North Division after finishing 2-7 last season, the same record as EC.

“All we can really control is East Central,” said Anderson, whose squad is predicted to finish near the bottom of the MACJC South Division. “I anticipate that we will play hard and play well….and that is our primary focus.”

After several weeks of pre-season practice, Anderson said the Warriors are ready to suit up against an opponent, instead of teammates.

“I think the attitude of our players overall has been really good…they seem hungrier and more motivated…which means as coaches we don’t have to spend time coaching ‘effort’ and can concentrate more on game preparations, he said. “We’re to the point now where we are tied of practicing against each other. To really learn more about our football team we need to play against somebody else.”

ECCC will get that chance beginning at 6:30 p.m. Thursday at Warrior Stadium.