Football

Two Football Warriors Earn All-MACCC Honors

bwagnon — Thu, 17 Nov 2022 17:30:32 +0000

Two Football Warriors Earn All-MACCC Honors bwagnon Thu, 11/17/2022 - 11:30

November 17, 2022

�Ӱ��Ƶ had two players earn All-MACCC honors for their play on the gridiron in 2022. �Ӱ��Ƶ's Treyon Wash, a sophomore defensive back from Forest, was tabbed as Second Team All-MACCC, while Jaylin Thompson, another sophomore defensive back who hails from Vicksburg, earned Honorable Mention recognition.

Wash finished the season second on the team in tackles with 62 on the year. The sophomore led the team in interceptions as he snagged three on the season and blocked a pair of kicks. He also posted four breakups during the year.

Thompson was another lockdown defensive back who wrapped up 39 tackles on the year. Thompson posted two interceptions, both against Southwest, and returned one for a 56-yard touchdown. He also broke up six passes on the year, second most on the team.

The Warriors finished the season 1-8 overall as the season opener was forfeited by Coahoma.

Jonathan Webster Named �Ӱ��Ƶ Head Football Coach

bwagnon — Wed, 16 Nov 2022 15:30:05 +0000

Jonathan Webster Named �Ӱ��Ƶ Head Football Coach bwagnon Wed, 11/16/2022 - 09:30

November 16, 2022

�Ӱ��Ƶ in Decatur is excited to welcome Jonathan Webster to campus as the 22nd head coach of the Warrior football program. Webster replaces Ken Karcher who served in the role for 10 seasons before announcing his retirement in October.

Webster, a notable name in the Mississippi Association of Community Colleges Conference (MACCC), has over 16 years of experience as both a student-athlete and coach in the league.

“Coach Webster is exactly what we are looking for at East Central,” said �Ӱ��Ƶ President Dr. Brent Gregory. “His energy, excitement, recruiting ability, and knowledge of this league are unmatched. We expect Jonathan to directly fit into the culture of success and community that we are building, and we are very excited to have him and his family join us in Decatur.”

Webster most recently served as the defensive coordinator at Northeast Mississippi Community College in Booneville where he led the Tiger defense to national prominence as the team ranked top 15-nationally in fumble recoveries, interceptions, and defensive touchdowns all three years at the helm.

His stint at Northeast was the second of his career as he also coached the Tiger defensive backs in 2012-13 before serving as the defensive backs coach at Northwest Mississippi Community College in Senatobia from 2013-2019.

Webster was a key part of Northwest’s success during his tenure. That includes the Rangers’ 2015 campaign in which NWCC won both the MACCC conference and NJCAA national championships.

Northwest qualified for the MACCC playoffs each season that Webster was on its staff, and the Rangers appeared in three bowl games, including the 2015 Mississippi Bowl, the 2016 C.H.A.M.P.S. Heart of Texas Bowl, and the 2017 Graphic Edge Bowl.

Webster, a Batesville native, began his coaching career at Southwest Mississippi Community College in Summit as a defensive backs coach in 2009.

“Coach Web emerged from a very competitive group of applicants as the best choice due to his passion to be our next head coach. He has experienced consistent success in the MACCC as a student-athlete, an assistant coach, and a defensive coordinator,” said �Ӱ��Ƶ Director of Athletics Paul Nixon. “He is absolutely ready to be a head coach in this league, and he presented a fantastic plan with a clear vision as to why EC Warrior Football is the perfect fit for him. We are thrilled to introduce him to our student-athletes, our campus community, and the high school programs throughout our five counties.”

Along with his experience in the college ranks, Webster has spent numerous months in the professional football world through internships beginning in 2014. These include stops with the San Diego Chargers, Atlanta Falcons, and Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Webster’s duties included assisting with game preparation and working with defensive backs, linebackers, and special teams.

The South Panola High School graduate was a standout student-athlete as he played at both Northwest Mississippi Community College and Arkansas Tech University. During his tenure with the Rangers, NWCC went 15-4 and was nationally ranked in the NJCAA both seasons. He earned Northwest’s defensive most valuable player honors as a sophomore and helped lead the Rangers to a MACCC North Division championship during his freshman campaign.

At Arkansas Tech, Webster was named Gulf South Conference Academic Honor Roll and College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA) Academic All-District on two occasions.

“My family and I are extremely excited about the opportunity to have an impact on the young men at East Central and in the surrounding community,” said Webster. “It is a blessing to be in this role, and I do not take it for granted, but I am ready to get to work and bring some excitement to the East Central football program. I would like to thank the East Central Board of Trustees, Dr. Gregory, and Mr. Nixon for affording me this opportunity and trusting me in this position.”

Webster has a bachelor of arts in sociology from Arkansas Tech and a master of science in psychology from the University of Southern Mississippi. He and his wife Bridget have three children, Kenadie, Kaleb, and Nori.

Warrior Football Season Ends With Loss at Pearl River

bwagnon — Fri, 28 Oct 2022 12:49:47 +0000

Warrior Football Season Ends With Loss at Pearl River bwagnon Fri, 10/28/2022 - 07:49

October 28, 2022

The �Ӱ��Ƶ Warriors wrapped up the 2022 season on Thursday night, Oct. 27, with a 23-7 loss to the Pearl River Community College Wildcats in Poplarville. The game served as 10-year �Ӱ��Ƶ Head Coach Ken Karcher's last game as he announced his retirement earlier in the season. The Warriors officially close out the year 1-8, 0-5 as the season-opening contest against Coahoma was forfeited by the Tigers due to an ineligible player. Pearl River finished 6-3, 3-2, just missing out on the MACCC playoffs.

As the regular season finished for all MACCC programs, the playoff slate was finalized. Northwest and East Mississippi will represent the North Division as the No. 1 and No. 2 seeds, while Gulf Coast and Jones are the No. 1 and No. 2 teams out of the South Division.

Pearl River was the first team on the board as the Wildcats marched 65 yards on the opening possession on a six-play touchdown drive.

Later in the first, PRCC capitalized on a short field as a drive started at �Ӱ��Ƶ's 39-yard line after an interception. 12 plays later, Lawson Pratt connected with Jordan Coleman from eight yards out to push the lead to 14-0, a score that would hold to halftime.

The Warriors' first two possession in the second half ended on a turnover on downs, with the one stalling deep into PRCC's territory. Pearl River used that momentum to string together an 84-yard, 12-play drive to grow the advantage to 21-0. The ensuing Warrior drive ended with an intentional grounding from the endzone which resulted in a safety, making it 23-0.

After forcing a PRCC punt the Warriors put together their best offensive drive of the night. The drive featured big runs from Devontae Causey and a Gabriel Larry pass completion to Holton White for 19 yards. A pair of penalties, a facemask and pass interference in the endzone, set the Warriors within the PRCC five-yard line. Larry capitalized with a three-yard plunge into the endzone for the Warriors' lone score of the night. Brandon Gilliam knocked in the extra point to finalize the 23-7 score.

�Ӱ��Ƶ finished the night with 173 yards of offense, 74 passing and 99 rushing, while PRCC posted 324. Larry and Damon Mapp split time at quarterback, with Larry leading the way with 62 yards through the air. Causey led the rushing attack with 62 yards on 18 touches. White led the Warrior receiver corps with 34 yards, while Courtland Harris picked up a gain of 21 on a pass out of the backfield.

Defensively, the Warriors were led by a stellar performance from TJ Thompson who wrapped 16 tackles with one tackle for loss. Noah Tice followed with eight tackles, while Ryan Kimbrell and Kris Robinson both wrapped up seven. Michael Coats Jr. had two breakups and a tackle for loss, while Simon Lee had one sack for six yards.

The Warriors will now turn their attention to the offseason.

FOOTBALL PREVIEW: Pearl River

bwagnon — Thu, 27 Oct 2022 11:46:33 +0000

FOOTBALL PREVIEW: Pearl River bwagnon Thu, 10/27/2022 - 06:46

October 26, 2022

General Info

Thursday, Oct. 27, 2022 // 7 p.m.

Site: Poplarville, Miss.

Live Stream: prccmedia.com

Listen: www.ecccathletics.com/listen | WKOZ 98.3 FM

Play x Play: Phillip Palmertree & Ben Milam

Live Stats: www.ecccathletics.com/LiveStatsvsPR

Twitter Updates: @�Ӱ��ƵAthletics

Last 10: Series tied, 5-5

Streak: W1

Last Meeting: (17-14 Win / Thursday, Sept. 30, 2021)

Notes

» Thursday's game will serve as Ken Karchers' last game as head coach as he announced his retirement earlier in the season

» The Warriors continue to lead the MACCC in fourth down conversions, converting 15-of-26 attempts (tied with Northeast, 15-of-24)

» �Ӱ��Ƶ ranks top-5 in the MACCC in rushing attempts with 321 and 8th in rushing yards per game with 135

» PRCC ranks 10th in the MACCC in yards per game with 304.4, while the Warriors are 13th with 249.6

» PRCC is one of only seven schools with a 3rd down conversion rate over 40% with 41% (46-of-113)

» The Warriors are second in the MACCC, behind EMCC, in kick off returns with 24.4 yards per kick return

» The Warriors have only posted five punt returns on the year

» �Ӱ��Ƶ is 3rd in the conference in field goal percentage, making 72.7% of attempts (8-of-11)

» The Warriors are top-5 in penalty yards with just 377 yards on the season, 47.1 penality yards per game

» �Ӱ��Ƶ is tied 5th in the league in interceptions with 10 on the year, while PRCC ranked 8th with eight

Around the MACCC

Week 9

Southwest at Holmes | 3 p.m.

#3 Northwest at RV Northeast | 6:30 p.m.

#4 East Miss at Miss Delta | 6:30 p.m.

Coahoma at Itawamba | 6:30 p.m.

Hinds at Co-Lin | 6:30 p.m.

#4 Jones at RV Gulf Coast | 7 p.m.

East Central at RV Pearl River | 7 p.m.

Co-Lin Defeats Football Warriors 26-14 on Homecoming

bwagnon — Fri, 21 Oct 2022 10:58:57 +0000

Co-Lin Defeats Football Warriors 26-14 on Homecoming bwagnon Fri, 10/21/2022 - 05:58

October 20, 2022

The �Ӱ��Ƶ Warriors and the Copiah-Lincoln Community College Wolves matched up in Decatur for the Warriors' final home game of the 2022 season on Thursday night. The Wolves defeated the Warriors, 26-14. With the loss, the Warriors fell to 0-8, 0-5 on the year while Co-Lin improved to 4-4, 2-3 on the season.

The contest started in �Ӱ��Ƶ's favor as the Wolves muffed the opening kickoff allowing Elias Bell to jump on the loose ball in Co-Lin's territory. The Warriors strung together a short, five-play drive that ended with a 32-yard field goal from Brandon Gilliam. Just two and a half minutes into the game, the Warriors led, 3-0.

The Wolves responded with a touchdown drive that was finished off by a Bobby Shanklin Jr. four-yard halfback dive. The extra point was blocked by the Warriors to cut the lead to just 6-3.

The Wolves got great field possession early in the second quarter after the �Ӱ��Ƶ punter was ruled down as he scooped up a snap. Just two plays later the Wolf Pack's Johnnie Daniels took it 15-yards for the score. After the point-after attempt, Co-Lin led 13-3.

Late in the second quarter, Co-Lin marched 97 yards on just seven plays to grow the lead to 20-3 as DeVon Tott connected with Jaylen Smith for a 57-yard toss and catch touchdown.

That lead held until the end of the first half.

The Warriors capitalized on a Treyon Wash interception in the third quarter and moved the ball 39-yard on nine plays. The drive stalled in Co-Lin's territory, but Gilliam knocked in his second field goal of the night, this one from 38-yards out. The score pulled the Warriors within two possessions, 20-6.

Co-Lin threatened in the fourth quarter and scored on a fourth and goal half back run, but �Ӱ��Ƶ's Wash blocked the point after try and Jaylin Thompson scooped and scored. The two-point play made it 26-8 in Co-Lin's favor with just under 10 minutes remaining in the contest.

East Central scored on the final play of the contest, a hail mary pass as time expired that was tipped in the endzone before being hauled in by Josh Sykes from 59-yards out. The score closed out the game and finalized the 26-14 score.

The Warriors finished the night with 318 yards of total offense, the second most on the season behind the 389 �Ӱ��Ƶ produced against Holmes. Co-Lin posted 388. �Ӱ��Ƶ was balanced with 141 passing yards and 177 rushing yards.

Gabriel Larry finished with 141 yards on 10-of-27 passing with one touchdown and two interceptions, while Devontae Causey racked up 95 yards on 15 carries. Sykes led the receiving corps with two catches for 82 yards and a score, while Corey Goldwire hauled in three receptions. Gilliam finished the night with two field goals.

Defensively, TJ Thompson and Javonta Stewart led the team with eight tackles each, while Wash, Noah Tice, Cam Miller, Ryan Kimbrell, Tori Mulkey, and Max Walenta all teamed up for tackles in the backfield. Wash finished with one interception, two breakups, and two blocked kicks.

The Warriors are on the road next week for the 2022 season finale as the team travels to Poplarville to take on the Pearl River Community College Wildcats. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 27, and the game can be seen live at prccmedia.com.

FOOTBALL PREVIEW: Co-Lin

bwagnon — Thu, 20 Oct 2022 12:46:18 +0000

FOOTBALL PREVIEW: Co-Lin bwagnon Thu, 10/20/2022 - 07:46

October 19, 2022

General Info

Thursday, Oct. 20, 2022 // 6:30 p.m.

Site: Decatur, Miss.

Live Stream: www.eccclive.com/gold

Listen: www.ecccathletics.com/listen | WKOZ 98.3 FM

Play x Play: Phillip Palmertree & Rockey Felker

Live Stats: www.ecccathletics.com/LiveStatsvsCL

Twitter Updates: @�Ӱ��ƵAthletics

Last 10: Co-Lin leads, 8-2

Streak: L1

Last Meeting: (20-17 (OT) Loss / Thursday, Oct. 14, 2021)

Notes

» Thursday night's game will serve as sophomore night for the Warriors as it is the final home game of the year (17 sophomores recognized)

» The Warriors and Wolves of Co-Lin have gone into overtime in the past two matchups

» The last three meetings between Co-Lin and �Ӱ��Ƶ have been settled by just 11 points (six in the last two meetings)

» The Warriors rank 11th in the MACCC in points per game with 20.1 while Co-Lin comes in ranked 8th with 25

» Co-Lin averages 383.7 yards per game to the Warriors' 239.9

» East Central has the most 4th down conversions in the league with 15 on the year with a league-leading 68% among teams with at least two attempts

» �Ӱ��Ƶ is second in the MACCC, only behind EMCC, on kick return average with 26.4 yards per return

» The Warriors are tied for 4th in the league with a 66.7 field goal percentage (6-for-9) on the year

» Co-Lin is 10th in the MACCC in sacks with 13, while the Warriors are 12th with 10

» The Wolves average 7.3 penalties a game and 66.6 penalty yards to the Warriors' 5.4 penalties and 45.6 penalty yards

» �Ӱ��Ƶ is just one of four schools in the league with double-digit interceptions on the year (10)

» Co-Lin's Devon Tott is 5th in the league in passing yards per game with 213.7

» TJ Thompson is tied for 7th in the MACCC with nine tackles per game, while Treyon Wash is tied for 13th with 7.6

Around the MACCC

Week 8

Gulf Coast at Hinds | 6:30 p.m.

RV Northeast at Coahoma | 6:30 p.m.

Co-Lin at East Central | 6:30 p.m.

#4 Jones at Miss Delta | 6:30 p.m.

Holmes at #3 Northwest | 7 p.m.

Itawamba at #14 East Miss | Sat., Oct. 22 | 2 p.m.

RV Pearl River at Southwest | Sat., Oct. 22 | 5 p.m.

Next Up

East Central at Pearl River | Thurs., Oct. 27, 2022 | Poplarville, MS | 7 p.m.

ECCC Football Falls at Gulf Coast 35-0

bwagnon — Mon, 17 Oct 2022 16:36:50 +0000

ECCC Football Falls at Gulf Coast 35-0 bwagnon Mon, 10/17/2022 - 11:36

October 17, 2022

The Warriors of �Ӱ��Ƶ traveled to Perkinston on Saturday, Oct. 15, to face the Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College Bulldogs for MGCCC's homecoming. The Bulldogs got the win, 35-0, which dropped the Warriors to 0-7, 0-4. Gulf Coast improved to 4-3, 3-1.

Gulf Coast scored early in the contest on a 60-yard run from Cam Thomas to put the Bulldogs in front just a minute into the game.

The Warriors struggled offensively as the team tried to establish the run game, but could not fall into a rhythm.

The lead stretched to 14-0 midway through the second quarter on a 23-yard touchdown pass from Pat McQuaide to Ramone Bradley, a score that held until halftime.

The Bulldogs went on to score 21 points in the second half for a 35-0 final.

The Warriors finished the day with 120 total yards of offense to Gulf Coast's 415. Courtland Harris (Hattiesburg) led the �Ӱ��Ƶ offense with 46 yards on 14 carries, while Scooby Leverett (Jackson, Ala.) was the Warriors leading receiver with 16 yards.

Defensively, the Warriors were led by Peyton Posey (Union) who wrapped up 11 tackles and recorded one sack. Michael Coats Jr. (Biloxi) also hauled in two interceptions on the day.

The Warriors are back at home this Thursday, Oct. 20, as �Ӱ��Ƶ plays host to Copiah-Lincoln Community College for homecoming. The game is set for 6:30 p.m. and the Warrior sophomore football players will be recognized prior to kickoff. The homecoming court will be announced at halftime.

FOOTBALL PREVIEW: Gulf Coast

bwagnon — Thu, 13 Oct 2022 20:09:28 +0000

FOOTBALL PREVIEW: Gulf Coast bwagnon Thu, 10/13/2022 - 15:09

General Info

Saturday, Oct. 15, 2022 // 3:30 p.m.

Site: Perkinston, Miss.

Live Stream: www.mgcccbulldogs.com/watch

Listen: www.ecccathletics.com/listen | WKOZ 98.3 FM

Play x Play: Phillip Palmertree & Scott Engle

Live Stats: www.ecccathletics.com/LiveStatsvsGC

Twitter Updates: @�Ӱ��ƵAthletics

Last 10: MGCCC leads, 9-1

Streak: L5

Last Meeting: (31-13 Loss / Thursday, Oct. 7, 2021)

Notes

» East Central ranks 8th in the conference in yards per game with 133.2, while Gulf Coast is 7th with 154 yards per game, however, MGCCC averages 4.4 yards per rush to �Ӱ��Ƶ's 3.4

» Gulf Coast is one of six teams in the MACCC to average more than 20 first downs a game

» The Warriors continue to lead the conference in fourth down conversions with 76% (13-of-17) and are tied with the most fourth down conversions with 13

» �Ӱ��Ƶ is 2nd in the MACCC in kick off return average with 26.4 yards per return

» The Warriors are 3rd in the conference in field goal percentage making 66.7% of tries while MGCCC leads the league with 83.3%

» MGCCC has lost more fumbles in 2022 than any team in the conference with seven, while �Ӱ��Ƶ is tied for 2nd with six

» Gulf Coast leads the league in sacks with 26 on the year, while the Warriors are 8th with 16

» �Ӱ��Ƶ leads the MACCC among schools with complete stats in penalties with just 31 on the year, an average of 5.2 per game compared to MGCCC's 6.7

» MGCCC's Pat McQuaide leads the league with 264.5 passing yards per game and with 16 touchdowns

» �Ӱ��Ƶ's Gabriel Larry and Devontae Causey lead the Warriors with 43.5 and 41.7 rushing yards per game

» MGCCC's Keymari Odum leads the league in receiving yards with 576 and eight scores, while Causey leads �Ӱ��Ƶ with 203 receiving yards

» Brandon Gillium, �Ӱ��Ƶ's kicker is tied for 5th in scoring for kickers in the MACCC with 32 points

» Tavion Evans continues to lead the MACCC in kick returns with 28.4 yards per return

Around the MACCC

Week 7

Hinds at Itawamba | 6:30 p.m.

Delta at Holmes | 6:30 p.m.

#7 East Miss at Northeast | 6:30 p.m.

#3 Northwest at Coahoma | 6:30 p.m.

Co-Lin at Pearl River | 7 p.m.

Southwest at #4 Jones | 7 p.m.

East Central at Gulf Coast (Sat., Oct. 15) | 3:30 p.m.

Next Two

Co-Lin at East Central | Thurs., Oct. 20, 2022 | Decatur, MS | 6:30 p.m.

East Central at Pearl River | Thurs., Oct. 27, 2022 | Poplarville, MS | 7 p.m.

�Ӱ��Ƶ Head Football Coach Ken Karcher Announces Retirement

bwagnon — Wed, 12 Oct 2022 12:55:09 +0000

�Ӱ��Ƶ Head Football Coach Ken Karcher Announces Retirement bwagnon Wed, 10/12/2022 - 07:55

October 12, 2022

The second longest-tenured football coach in �Ӱ��Ƶ history has announced his retirement effective at the conclusion of the current 2022 season.

Ken Karcher has led the �Ӱ��Ƶ Warrior football program for the past 10 seasons, twice earning coach of the year honors and winning the first South Division title in school history.

“Ken Karcher is that coach who every mom and dad wants their son to play football for,” said �Ӱ��Ƶ President Dr. Brent Gregory. “He not only is an outstanding football coach, but a man of integrity and a great role model for the hundreds of young men who have come through his program the past decade.”

Karcher will be recognized at the final home football game of the 2022 season Thursday, October 20, against Copiah-Lincoln. The annual Homecoming game kicks off at 6:30 p.m. at Bailey Stadium on the campus in Decatur.

Gregory said the search for Karcher’s replacement would begin immediately following the final game of the season. �Ӱ��Ƶ will conclude the 2022 season on October 27 at Pearl River in Poplarville.

“Ken Karcher has left his mark on the Warrior football program with everything that has been accomplished on and off the field,” said �Ӱ��Ƶ Director of Athletics Paul Nixon. “He has built a network of supporters who love East Central football and earned the respect of the other coaches in our conference. That’s what you ask for in a head coach. He not only was our football coach but our friend and a valued member of our campus and local communities. He is leaving big shoes to fill as we move forward.”

Karcher guided the 2015 �Ӱ��Ƶ football team to an 8-3 record, still the program’s best won-loss record since 1999. The Warriors advanced to the semifinals of the 2015 Mississippi Association of Community and Junior Colleges state playoffs, before losing to eventual state champion Northwest Mississippi Community College 27-20 in Senatobia. It was �Ӱ��Ƶ’s first appearance in the state playoffs since 2001.

East Central then accepted an invitation to the 2015 C.H.A.M.P.S. Heart of Texas Bowl in Copperas Cove, Texas, where the Warriors defeated the Kilgore College Rangers 35-21. It was the college’s first bowl game since 1996, and only the fourth bowl game since the Warriors began playing football in 1928.

Karcher’s 2016 squad won the college’s first-ever MACJC South Division Title, advancing to the state playoffs before falling 20-14 to eventual state champion Northwest.

He was named Mississippi Association of Coaches Community College Football Coach of the Year, in both 2015 and 2016.

“East Central and Decatur will always hold a special place in our hearts, and I am grateful for each person who has blessed my life over the last 10 years,” said Karcher. “The memories I will hold close to my heart are about the people I encountered along the way.”

During Karcher’s tenure at East Central, the program produced six National Junior College Athletic Association Academic All-Americans, two NJCAA First-Team All-Americans, one NJCAA Second Team All-American, and 24 First-Team MACJC (now known as Mississippi Association Community Colleges Conference) All-State players. There have been 79 former Warrior football players who continued on to play football at four-year programs since 2013, including NCAA Division I, II, and III.

Antonio Gibson, a member of the 2016 and 2017 Warriors, is the starting running back for the National Football League’s Washington Commanders after a standout career at �Ӱ��Ƶ and the University of Memphis.

Along with a commitment to his players, Karcher worked hard to upgrade the facilities at East Central. In March 2014, Karcher invited longtime friend and retired National Football League Super Bowl Champion Coach Tony Dungy to kick off a fundraising effort for the Warrior football program. “Laying the Foundation: An Evening with Tony Dungy” held at the Neshoba County Coliseum in Philadelphia raised more than $160,000 towards the installation of a new synthetic turf playing surface at Bailey Stadium on campus. Dungy, who led the Indianapolis Colts to a 2007 Super Bowl victory, also visited the East Central campus in Decatur to speak with students and others.

In 2020, the 12,300 square-foot Warrior Hall football operations center opened just outside the north end zone of Bailey Stadium. The offices, conference rooms, meeting rooms, Hall of Champions, locker room and individual lockers, equipment room, training room, hydrotherapy pool, coaches’ locker room, and main team meeting room and the chairs in that room were among the items in Warrior Hall sponsored by donors.

Karcher was announced as �Ӱ��Ƶ’s 21st head football coach on January 25, 2013, having previously served four years as offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach at NCAA Division I Eastern Michigan University. Over his 32 years in coaching, Karcher also served six seasons as head football coach at NCAA Division I Liberty University in Lynchburg, Va., and as an assistant at the University of Toledo, at Fellowship Christian High School in Roswell, Ga., for the Rhein Fire (Dusseldorf, Germany) of NFL Europe, at the University of Pittsburgh, for the Orlando Thunder of the World League of American Football, and at North Texas State University.

A native of Pittsburgh, Pa., Karcher was a highly recruited quarterback at Shaler Area High School where he was selected a Parade All-American in 1980. He played college football at both the University of Notre Dame and Tulane University.

He played in the NFL as a member of the Denver Broncos, playing as a replacement player during the 1987 players’ strike. The Broncos retained him for the rest of the year, and Karcher was a backup to John Elway when the team played in Super Bowl XXII in 1988.

Karcher and his wife, Pauline, have four children, daughters Kelly and Katie and sons Austin and Clay, and six grandchildren.

Warrior Football Falls in Cross-Divisional Matchup at Northeast

bwagnon — Fri, 07 Oct 2022 11:47:28 +0000

Warrior Football Falls in Cross-Divisional Matchup at Northeast bwagnon Fri, 10/07/2022 - 06:47

October 6, 2022

The Warriors of �Ӱ��Ƶ fell to the Northeast Tigers, 34-20, on Thursday, Oct. 6, in a cross-divisional matchup in Booneville. With the loss, the Warriors moved to 0-6, 0-3 on the year, while the Tigers improved to 3-3, 1-2.

The Warriors started with a lengthy drive to start the game that featured a big 30-plus yard run by Gabriel Larry (Manvel Texas), but the drive stalled deep in Tiger territory on a failed fourth down conversion.

Midway through the first, the Tigers took the lead with a 45-yard, pick-six but missed the point after wide right to make it 6-0, Northeast.

The ensuing �Ӱ��Ƶ possession was cut short by a fumble deep in Warrior territory. The Tigers recovered on the one-yard line and punched it in just one play later to stretch the advantage to 13-0 with 8:10 remaining in the quarter.

�Ӱ��Ƶ cut down that lead as Warrior defensive end Peyton Posey (Union) grabbed an interception on a tipped pass at the Tiger 10-yard line. After a couple of plays Courtland Harris (Hattiesburg) punched it in from three yards out. Brandon Gilliam (Vicksburg) hit the point after try to cut the Northeast lead to just six, 13-7.

The Warrior defense held strong again early in the second quarter and forced a Tiger field goal try that missed wide right.

�Ӱ��Ƶ responded with a nine-play, 68-yard drive that was capped off with a Gilliam, 29-yard field goal. The kick cut the Tiger lead to just three, 13-10, with 8:14 remaining in the first half.

The back-and-forth play continued late in the second as the Tigers bounced back with a 12-play, 65-yard drive capped off with a three-yard plunge. The score pushed the Tiger advantage to 20-10 with just over three minutes remaining in the half.

The Warriors once again hit back in the final minutes of the half as the team marched down the field 56-yards in just nine plays with several quick strikes from Larry to Devontae Causey (Millry, Ala.). With just two seconds remaining the Warriors elected for a third-down field goal try from 33 yards and Gilliam nailed the try to pull �Ӱ��Ƶ within a touchdown, 20-13, going into the break.

The third quarter featured early punts for both squads before the Tigers strung together a lengthy 13-play touchdown drive that ate over five and a half minutes off the game clock. With the score, the Tiger lead grew to 27-13.

Midway through the fourth the Tigers scored on a 26-yard toss and catch on a fourth-and-four situation. After the PAT, Northeast led 34-13 with just 6:52 remaining in the game.

The Warriors refused to give in late and manufactured a great drive in the final minutes of play that was set up by a big return from Tavion Evans (Pascagoula). Larry hit Holton White (Ocean Springs) for a big gain to put the Warriors deep in the Tigers' territory. On a fourth-and-goal situation, Larry found Aaron Steele (Collinsville) for a one-yard score to cut the lead to 34-20.

East Central finished the night with 301 yards, the second 300-yard game of the year, while the Tigers posted 410. The Warriors were balanced with 157 passing yards to 144 rushing yards. Larry finished the night 21 completions on 31 passes with one touchdown and one interception, while adding 97 yards on the ground. Causey posted a team-high 48 receiving yards, while Corey Goldwire (Leesburg, Fla.) hauled in six receptions.

Defensively, TJ Thompson (Bolton) led the Warriors with 10 tackles, while Noah Tice (Wiggins) finished with eight. Posey finished with a team-high two sacks, two and a half tackles for loss, and an interception.

The Warriors are on the road next week as the team travels to Perkinston to take on the Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College Bulldogs on Saturday, Oct. 15, at 3 p.m. The game will serve as the Bulldog's homecoming game and fans will be able to watch the action live at www.mgcccbulldogs.com/watch. More information about the matchup will be available next week.

Football

Two Football Warriors Earn All-MACCC Honors

Jonathan Webster Named �Ӱ���Ƶ Head Football Coach

Warrior Football Season Ends With Loss at Pearl River

FOOTBALL PREVIEW: Pearl River

Co-Lin Defeats Football Warriors 26-14 on Homecoming

FOOTBALL PREVIEW: Co-Lin

ECCC Football Falls at Gulf Coast 35-0

FOOTBALL PREVIEW: Gulf Coast

�Ӱ���Ƶ Head Football Coach Ken Karcher Announces Retirement

Warrior Football Falls in Cross-Divisional Matchup at Northeast

Jonathan Webster Named �Ӱ��Ƶ Head Football Coach

�Ӱ��Ƶ Head Football Coach Ken Karcher Announces Retirement