If the East Central Community College Warriors are to improve on last season’s record, they will have to do so against the toughest football schedule in the Mississippi Association of Community and Junior Colleges.

The good news is that there is a lot of talent on the 2018 edition of the ECCC football Warriors, particularly at the skill positions.

East Central’s 2018 schedule is brutal. In addition to the traditional six MACJC South Division opponents, the Warriors will have to face three teams ranked in last season’s final National Junior College Athletic Association Top 20 Poll in Northwest Mississippi, Itawamba and East Mississippi.

Both Northwest and East Mississippi are highly ranked in several 2018 preseason publications, while Gulf Coast, Hinds, and Jones County have also been ranked.

“There’s no doubt it’s the toughest schedule in the league,” said ECCC Head Coach Ken Karcher, who is in his sixth season leading the Warriors. “How we come out those first two games mentally and on the scoreboard will set the tone for our season.”

East Central will be looking to bounce back from a disappointing 1-8 campaign in 2017, just one year removed from an MACJC South Division Title and two years after a C.H.A.M.P.S. Heart of Texas Bowl appearance.

“We played a lot of freshmen last year,” continued Karcher. “We also beat ourselves a lot last season.”

Karcher welcomes a couple of familiar faces to the East Central coaching staff this season. Former NFL player and NFL Europe head coach Mike Jones will coach running backs and tight ends for the Warriors.

Also joining Karcher’s staff is former Warrior standout and University of West Georgia running back Lamarcus Franks, who will help with the linebackers and defensive line.

Karcher said several new players caught his attention during July workouts and he expects them to contribute on the defensive side of the ball in 2018. Defensive linemen Alvin Dempsey III (6-1, 285) from Port St. Joe (Fla.) High School, Martavous McCray (6-2, 307) from Thomas County Central High School in Thomasville, Ga., and Bo Reeves (6-3, 288) from Greene County High School in Eutaw, Ala., have impressed, along with linebacker Elijah Keyes from Mize High School and defensive end Ronnie Thomas (5-11, 260) from Clinton High School.

Returning is 6-6 quarterback Mario Asagunla, who was forced into action in the season opener when starter Quentin Gibson went down with a leg injury. Asagunla, who prepped at Hillcrest Christian in Jackson, passed for 1,120 yards and 11 touchdowns in seven starts as a freshman. Battling for the QB spot is 6-0, 185-pound sophomore Brady Anderson, who played at Southwest Mississippi Community College last season after prepping at Brandon High School.

Also back is running back James Smith III out of Velma Jackson in Camden who rushed for over 500 yards last season. Receivers Octavious Olowo-ake of Jackson Murrah and Kevontaye Caston of Trinity Episcopal in Natchez are also back. They combined for 42 catches for 545 yards and four scores as freshmen.

Karcher has his eyes on several newcomers to step in and contribute on offense. Among them are a trio of running backs in Marcus Hooks from Northside Christian School in St. Petersburg, Fla., JohnTavis McClelland of Lamar School in Meridian, and Marquavious Qualls from Lake.