October 23, 2020
East Central freshman running back Larry Wilson (Hazlehurst) avoids a Gulf Coast tackler in first half action. (EC Photo)
Mississippi Gulf Coast rolled up more than 500 yards offense and the Bulldog defense stymied the East Central Community College offense in a 31-3 MACCC South Division win over Warriors Thursday, Oct. 22, at Bailey Stadium in Decatur.
East Central fell to 1-3 overall on the season, while defending national champion Gulf Coast improved to 3-0.
It was the Bulldogs’ fifth straight win over East Central. Gulf Coast has now won 17 of the last 18 meetings between the two teams on the gridiron.
The Warriors got on the scoreboard first with a 32-yard field goal off the foot of sophomore Robens Beauplan (Lehigh Acres, Fla., Riverdale) with 12:15 to play in the first quarter.
After that it was all Gulf Coast. The Bulldogs also scored on their first possession of the game, driving 72 yards in six plays for the 7-3 lead.
Early in the second quarter, the Bulldogs pieced together a 96-yard, 10-play that culminated with a 48-yard touchdown pass and a 14-3 lead.
Gulf Coast extended the lead to 21-3 with 2:50 to go before halftime with a three-yard touchdown run. That drive was 81 yards in 12 plays.
Gulf Coast added 10 points late in the third quarter to build the lead to 31-3. After connecting on a 25-yard field goal, the Bulldogs recovered a Warrior fumble on the East Central six and were in the end zone three plays later.
The Bulldogs had 525 yards of total offense and 27 first downs in the win and held East Central to just 60 yards rushing and eight first downs. The Warriors turned the ball over four times, including three fumbles and an interception.
On the night, East Central’s Beauplan averaged 45 yards on eight punts. He had punts of 56, 51 and 61 yards in the first half pinning Gulf Coast inside their on five-yard line twice. He also had a 63-yard punt in the third quarter.
Sophomore cornerback Desmond Williams (Forsyth, Ga., Mary Persons) blocked a Gulf Coast field goal attempt and intercepted a pass in first half action. Freshman safety Josten James (Wiggins) led the Warriors with 13 tackles, including 12 solo. Freshman defensive end RJ Proctor (Petal) had a second half fumble recovery for the Warriors.
Next up for East Central is a road trip to Copiah-Lincoln on Thursday, Oct. 29. Kickoff from H.L. Stone Stadium in Wesson is set for 6:30 p.m. The Wolves will be playing their first game since Oct. 8 after temporarily suspending football operations for two weeks due to COVID-19 concerns.
All East Central Community College football games can be heard on WKOZ “Cruisin” 98.3 radio. Links to the audio and live stream video for all home and away games can be found at www.eccc.edu/eccc-media. Home game live stream can also be accessed at www.cruisin98news.com.
East Central quarterback Holman Edwards (French Camp Academy) connects on a throw in the first quarter of the loss to Gulf Coast. (EC Photo)
East Central kicking specialist Robens Beauplan (Lehigh Acres, Fla., Riverdale) connected on a 32-yard field goal and had four punts travel over 50 yards in the loss to Gulf Coast. (EC Photo)
Freshman linebacker Deandre Shorts (Jefferson Davis County) makes a diving stop on the Gulf Coast runner in the first half. (EC Photo)
