SCOOBA – In the most anticipated game of the season between the state's top two defenses, it was the complete opposite result than expected on Thursday night as 3rd-ranked East Mississippi held off 5th-ranked Northwest in a shootout, 56-49, to win its 20th-straight game.
East Mississippi improved to 8-0 overall (5-0 north) and claimed the north division title while Northwest had a 9-game winning streak snapped in falling to 6-1 overall and 5-1 in division play.
The teams combined for 1,276 total yards on 168 plays, with both offenses eclipsing 600 yards.
EMCC freshman quarterback Quez Johnson was sensational, accounting for 495 yards and seven total touchdowns. He completed 30-of-44 passes for 381 yards and four touchdowns and also rushed 21 times for 114 yards and three scores. Domonique Harris had an equally good effort for the Rangers, going 23-of-43 for a career-high 421 yards and four TDs against five INTs.
EMCC took the opening kick and looked to set the tone early, driving 86 yards on three plays in just 0:53 for a 7-0 lead. Johnson was a perfect 3-for-3 on the drive, hooking up with Corey Smith from 25-yards away for the score.
Northwest, however, would score the next 21 points to silence the home crowd and give EMCC its largest deficit of the season and first in over three weeks.
The Rangers also scored on their opening drive of the night, going 76 yards in eight plays to knot it at 7-7. Harris hit three different receivers on the drive, including Darreal Joyner for 29 yards on the first play, before Damian Baker would plunge it in from 6 yards out.
After Keith Reynolds picked off Johnson on the Lions' ensuing possession in the end zone, the Rangers proceeded to go 80 yards in 3:04 and capped the scoring drive off on Baker's second rushing score of the night. The lead grew to 21-7 with 4:05 left in the first when Harris hit Joyner from 65-yards out after avoiding a pair of defenders and being pulled down to the ground.
EMCC responded with back-to-back scoring drives to tie the game at 21-21, riding the arm and legs of Johnson on a 75-yard scoring drive and 31-yard drive after Shaquille Fluker picked off Harris deep in Ranger territory.
The teams would trade scores the next two possessions before EMCC put together a game-changing drive.
Facing 4th-and-inches from his own 48-yard line, head coach Ricky Woods elected to punt the football and Chase Carpenter downed it at the Lions' 3-yard line with just under 3 minutes left before the half.
Johnson and EMCC took full advantage of their 7th possession of the half and then proceeded to go 97 yards in 10 plays over 2:26 to take a 35-28 lead and momentum into the half.
But Northwest quickly shifted the momentum back in its favor with consecutive scoring drives on defensive stops to start the third quarter and jumped back in front momentarily, 42-35.
Ty Northern forced a fumble that turned into a 35-yard touchdown strike from Harris to Joyner and Aaron Thompson returned an interception 79 yards for a score. Thompson very nearly housed another ball just four plays later, as it skipped off his hands at the 31-yard line on a 4th-and-6 before the Lions turned it over on downs.
The Lions again tied the game up for a fifth time, 42-42, right before the end of the third quarter when Johnson scored from 14 yards out on a quarterback keeper.
With Northwest driving into EMCC territory on its opening drive of the fourth quarter, a big personal foul penalty stopped the Rangers in their tracks and immediately they faced a 4th-and-18 and had to punt.
Northwest was flagged 10 times for 110 yards on the night, but none were bigger than that one and it proved to be a huge turning point in the game.
EMCC retook the lead at 49-42 with 9:07 remaining, driving 84 yards on 13 plays over 4:34 after the penalty. The Lions gained six first downs on their longest clocked drive of the night which was capped by Xavier Hogan's 2-yard run.
The Rangers again drove into Lions territory at the 36-yard line before Jason Yarbor picked off Harris and returned it 52 yards down to the Northwest 23-yard line. EMCC would punch it in from there one play later when Johnson hit Martay Mattox for a 56-42 lead with 6:47 remaining.
The teams would trade interceptions the ensuing three drives, as Harris was picked off by Justin Cox twice and running back Rodriguez Moore was intercepted by Lawon Debardelaben on a trick play in the end zone.
Backed up at the 8-yard line with just under 3 minutes to play, Northwest strung together a 9-play, 92-yard drive over 1:20 that pulled the Rangers within a score at 56-49 with 31 seconds remaining. Harris hit 5 of 7 targets on the drive, and connected with Cedrick Jackson from 4 yards out for the first receiving score of his career.
The ensuing on-side kick attempt was then recovered by EMCC to seal the victory.
In a game full of offense, Damian Baker eclipsed 100 yards for a fourth time this year, rushing 24 times for 141 yards and two touchdowns. Moore countered with 18 carries for 144 yards.
Harris hit seven different receivers on the night, with Joyner having a breakout game with eight catches for 208 yards and two touchdowns and D'Montrise Swinney hauling in five passes for 103 yards. Corey Smith led EMCC with 10 for 101 yards and two scores, while Mattow went for 114 yards on eight receptions and Nick Brassell had five for 79 yards and a TD.
Northwest was led defensively by Ty Northern and Demarcus Pegues who had 14 tackles each in addition to Randolph Williams with 11 and Jerome McClain with eight tackles.
Despite the loss, Northwest has earned the No. 2 seed out of the north in the state playoffs beginning Nov. 3 and will travel to the South No. 1 seed. Three teams remain in the hunt in the south, including Jones County, Copiah-Lincoln and Gulf Coast.
Northwest returns home next Saturday at 2 p.m. and will host Jones County for Homecoming.
