DECATUR —
Rain and mud did not stop a dominating Itawamba Community College passing attack, as the Indians beat East Central Community College 35-13 on Saturday at Bailey Stadium.
Itawamba quarterback Andrew Goodman led the way for the Indians, as he threw for 344 yards and five touchdowns while completing 29 of 40 passes. Even through the conditions Itawamba head coach Jon Williams continued to pass the ball, telling his players nothing could stop them from doing what they wanted to do on offense.
“We do it in practice, we don't go indoors when it rains,” Williams said. “We stay outside, and we do what we do. We feel we can run the ball well too, but the defense was giving us some things that we took advantage of.”
Goodman and the Indians got things started in the first quarter when the quarterback found receiver Rashad Pargo on a 6-yard touchdown pass to put Itawamba up 7-0.
However, the Warriors answered right back, as Ricky Hunt returned the ensuing kickoff all the way back to the 12-yard line to put East Central in scoring position. A few plays later Warrior quarterback Colton Kane squirmed through a pile of defenders and into the end zone to tie the game back at 7-7.
East Central had the opportunity to take the lead, as the Warriors faced a fourth-and-1 deep in Indian territory, but head coach Brian Anderson elected to call a timeout seconds before what would have been a successful field goal went through the uprights. Instead, the head coach opted to go for it on fourth down, but Keshun Shipp was stuffed the next play turning the ball over to Itawamba. While the gamble ultimately did not pay off for the Warriors, Anderson said he did not regret his decision, stating that he will always trust his team in that situation.
“I told the players, ‘I'm going to give you the opportunity to win this ballgame,’” Anderson said. “That field goal had nothing to do with us losing this ballgame. You never want to take points off the board, but if I can't trust my players to get a yard, then I'm not a very good football coach.”
The Indians would later take advantage, as Goodman found wide receiver Adrian Brown and Pargo again for touchdowns to give Itawamba a comfortable 21-7 lead heading into the half.
After a heavy downpour at halftime, the Indians continued where they left off, as Goodman connected with wide receiver Demarius Howard on a 60-yard touchdown pass early in the third.
“My receivers made awesome plays,” Goodman said. “It was pretty spread out, and they did a really good job.”
Goodman would find Pargo for one more touchdown, as the Indians (1-0) rolled to victory. Pargo finished the day with four receptions for 120 yards and three touchdowns.
“I was proud of the way our guys responded,” Williams said. “They fought, they played hard and I don't think they ever quit.”
East Central (0-1) will have little time to rebound off the loss as the Warriors host defending national champion East Mississippi Community College on Thursday night.
“We got a short week, but they have a short week too,” Anderson said. “This gives us a opportunity to give film to watch on somebody else, and it gives us a chance to get better on somethings.”
Sports
Related Photos
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East Central Community College's Jamere Knox escapes the Itawamba defense Saturday as he picks up a big gain. Paula Merritt
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East Central Community College's Ricky Hunt eyes an Itawamna Community College defender as he attempts to return a kickoff for a touchdown. Paula Merritt
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East Central Community College's Keshun Shipp tries to get away from the Itawamba Community College defense Saturday. Paula Merritt
Discussion
Indians gun down Warriors via the pass
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(PHOTOS) Newton County Class 4A State Championship
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