Published: October 31, 2009 12:16 am      

Experienced Lions look for extended playoff trip

While East Mississippi Community College’s playoff stay was short-lived last year, the Lions are counting on that experience to lead to an extended trip this year.

The Lions, who lost 42-35 to Pearl River in the first round of the MACJC state playoffs, last season, open the postseason at home today against Jones County Junior College. Kickoff is at 2 p.m. at Sullivan-Windham Field.

“Absolutely,” EMCC coach Buddy Stephens said about last year’s playoff berth being a bonus for the Lions. “We’ll go in a lot different than we did last year. We understand the speed of the game, the level of competition won’t surprise us.”

Also not a surprise will be an improved Bobcats team than the one EMCC downed 28-17 during the second week of the season. Since then, Jones County won six straight before falling 20-17 in a South Division title game against defending state champ Mississippi Gulf Coast last week.

“They’re good and we knew that coming in,” Stephens said. “They are a very good football team.

“They’ve gotten better as the season has gone on. They’ve moved guys around, defensively, and are playing as well as anybody in the league.”

JCJC has allowed the fewest points in the MACJC, as opponents have averaged just 16.44 points per game. The Bobcats also are among the top defensive units in total and rushing defense, allowing 268.2 yards overall and just 98.2 on the ground.

EMCC, meanwhile, counters with an explosive offense that finished second in the state in scoring — 36 points per game. The Lions also led the state with 478.3 yards of total offense — 189.9 rushing (second) and 288.4 passing (second).