NJCAA Preview: No. 15 ICC vs Southwest in the Game of the Week
The NJCAA has selected the No. 15 ICC vs Southwest MS CC in the Game of the Week.
NJCAA Preview: No. 15 ICC vs Southwest in the Game of the Week
Michael Teague/NJCAA.org
One week into the MACJC schedule, No. 15 Itawamba and Southwest Mississippi will clash under the lights Thursday in a crucial matchup.
Southwest Mississippi will look to keep the ball rolling after winning their first game since 2011 last week.
Aiming for their first MACJC playoffs appearance since 2007, the Itawamba Indians are eager to earn a road win this week against the cross-division Bears.
Under new leadership, Southwest Mississippi is 1-0 with head coach Tucker Peavey at the helm. Last week, the Bears ended their 11-game losing streak with a 19-15 victory over Northwest Mississippi. Led by 10 tackles from sophomore linebacker C.J. O'Quin, Southwest Mississippi held the Rangers offense scoreless in the final 40 minutes of play.
Freshman running back Chris Jones led the Bears offensively, rushing for 114 yards and a touchdown on 20 carries.
Missing the MACJC playoffs the past three seasons due to tie-breaking procedures, Itawamba is confident things will be different in 2013 with the return of sophomore quarterback Griff Loftis.
Earning MACJC Offensive Player of the Week honors, Loftis opened the season with 343 yards passing and four touchdowns en route to a 40-7 win over East Central. On the ground, sophomore running back Tobias Lofton compiled 113 yards on 17 carries.
The Indians defense held East Central to 2-of-20 passing and just 134 yards of total offense.
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