Indians force eight turnovers in loss to East Central

FULTON, Miss. – Fans that waded through the remnants of Hurricane Francine couldn't ask for much more from the Indians' defense on Thursday night. ICC (2-1) forced eight turnovers, six fumbled and two interceptions, but the offense sputtered in the second half in a disappointing, 20-9, home loss to East Central (2-1).

Jayden Walker (Aberdeen) recovered a fumble on the Warriors' opening drive to set up a 37-yard touchdown pass to Chris Reed (Orlando, FL) from Ty Davis (Fulton) to give the Indians a 6-0 advantage after a bad snap on the extra-point attempt.

After throwing an interception, the Indians got the ball back when Orel Gray (Jacksonville, FL) pounced on a fumble at the East Central 48-yard line, but gave the ball back after failing to convert on fourth down.

Trailing 6-0, East Central tried to take a shot down field, but Zech Pratt (Tupelo) picked off the pass. The Indians were forced to punt on the ensuing drive.

Gray recovered his second fumble on the night, but the offense continued to struggle to move the ball and missed a 47-yard field goal attempt wide left with 6:05 play in the second quarter.

East Central returned a botched snapped and was tackled as time expired on the half. A horse collar tackle allowed the Warriors to have an untimed down and they took full advantage as a pass slipped between a pair of defenders for a 44-yard touchdown pass. A bad snap on the extra-point attempt would make it a 6-6 contest at the break.

The Warriors returned an interception 26 yards for a touchdown to take a 13-6 lead with 13:29 left in the third quarter.

Brevin Warren (Olive Branch) recovered a fumbled at the Warriors' 11-yard line and the Indians had to settle for a 22-yard field goal by Eli Burciaga (Corinth) to make it a 13-9 game with 5:15 left in the third.

Tavaris Coles (Bessemer, AL) and Jordan Johnson (Coldwater) recovered back-to-back fumbles and Kylan Egerson (Oxford) picked off a pass, but the Indians failed to cash in on the turnovers.

East Central put the game on ice with a 62-yard, 10-play drive that was capped off by a 1-yard touchdown run to go up 20-9 with 2:33 left to play.

The Warriors totaled 278 yards on offense (185 passing; 93 rushing).

Walker had 11 tackles (10 solo; 1 assist) with two sacks, two tackles for loss, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery.

The Indians had 241 yards of offense (137 passing, 104 rushing).

Davis had 110 yards pass with a touchdown down and two interceptions before leaving the game with an injury in the third quarter. Reed hauled in 74 yard and a touchdown on four passes while Zae Davis (Rienzi) caught six passes for 42 yards. Jaylen Sulton (Southaven) rushed for 43 yards on 15 carries.

ICC will open North Division play when they travel to East Mississippi on Thursday. Kickoff is slated for 7 p.m. in Scooba.