A controversial interception on the 2-yard line with 2:47 remaining a nixed a possible game-tying or game-winning score by the East Central Community College Warriors in their upset bid against the then nationally-ranked Jones County Junior College Bobcats in their 2008 matchup in Ellisville.

  The Warrior “miscue” came on a first-and-goal situation from the Bobcat 6-yard-line. Freshman quarterback Emmanuel Taylor — the current EC signal caller- lofted a pass which appeared to have been caught by sophomore wide receiver Kendrick May who leaped high in the air to make the grab over Bobcat defender Mark Gray. However, officials ruled Gray was in possession when the two players fell to the ground, and Jones held on for the 42-35 nail-biting victory.

  Although results of the game will never be known had EC made the touchdown completion, interim head coach Brian Anderson — who was serving his first year as offensive coordinator — said the coaching staff and sophomore players still have that controversial call on their minds.

  “We thought it was a bad call and coach (Steve) Cheatham (then head coach) made his feelings known to the officials,” said Anderson. “Although we are not using last year’s controversial ending as a motivator, I do feel that our guys are ready to play the Bobcats…it should be an exciting game.”

  Both teams bring identical 1-2 records to the division matchup scheduled at 6:30 p.m. today in Decatur, although Jones County is 1-0 in the MACJC South Division after beating Copiah-Lincoln 28-24 last week. The Bobcats’ two losses are to North opponents Itawamba (21-7) and East Mississippi (28-17). East Central fell to Coahoma 32-31 in the season opener, defeated Holmes 27-24 the following week and dropped a 30-7 decision to Hinds last week to begin division competition.

East Central enters the rivalry as the state’s second-ranked rushing offense in the state and eighth-ranked rushing squad in the nation. The Warriors are averaging 249 yards on the ground with sophomore running back Derrick Cade leading the way with 345 yards on 53 carries, a 115-yard average. Cade, who has one TD to his credit, is ranked fourth in rushing in the nation and fourth in the state. Jones County is rated sixth in rushing offense with a 152-yard average.

  In passing offense, East Central is rated seventh in the state and 25th nationally by averaging 194.6 yards per contest. Taylor has accounted for all EC’s passing yardage by completing 53 of 84 passes for six touchdowns. He has no interceptions. Taylor is rated 21st nationally and sixth in the state. The Bobcats are ranked 12th in passing offense, averaging 135.3 yards per contest.

  East Central is also doing well with special teams and in the kicking game.

  Sophomore C. J. Estelle leads the state in kickoff returns with seven attempts for 187 yards, a 26.7-yard average. His longest return is 32 yards.

  Freshman kicker Chad Mangum ranks third in individual scoring among kickers with 23 points. Mangum has connected on all eight PATs and is three of six in field goals. Mangum is averaging 33.1 yards per punt.

  On the defensive side, EC sophomore defensive back Elijah Tanksley of Meridian and Southwest’s J.D. Ratliff are tied for interceptions with three each. Estelle has two interceptions.

  Warrior defensive lineman Khalid Wilson is tied for fifth in individual tackles with 19 solo stops and seven assists. Wilson also has a quarterback sack. Defensive back Ken Griffin of Philadelphia has 16 tackles and five assists, followed by linebacker Octavious Gilbert, who has 15 tackles and seven assists.

  East Central is tied for third in turnover margin at plus-5. The Warrior defense has collected five interceptions and made one fumble recovery. EC has lost one fumble.

  East Central is ranked 12th in overall defense, allowing 403 yards per contest. Jones County is 10th with a 375.7-yard average. The Warriors’ rushing defense is rated ninth, allowing 154 yards per game. Jones County’s rushing defense is sixth with a 135.7-yard average. East Central and Jones County are rated near the bottom in passing defense, as the Warriors are allowing 249 yards per contest and Jones County, 240 yards.