Published: November 07, 2009 01:12 am      

From the Coast to Scooba Tech

Five Lions get chance to play against friends for state title

After meeting each of the past two seasons, the stakes have been raised for the next showdown between No. 7 East Mississippi Community College and No. 3 Gulf Coast.

When the two division champs meet today at EMCC's Sullivan-Windham Field at 2 p.m., a state title is on the line. For a handful of Lions, there will also be bragging rights. Sophomore wide receiver Stephon Johnson (Gulfport), sophomore defensive end Jermayne Lett (Gautier), sophomore offensive lineman Diavalo "Boogie" Simpson (Moss Point), sophomore wide receiver Isaac Beard (D’Iberville) and freshman linebacker Chris Bertucci (Gulfport) all hail from the coast and the Bulldogs' back yard.

"They'll have feelings, I'm sure," EMCC coach Buddy Stephens said. "But once kickoff comes, that will all be gone. Once the games starts, all that matters will be playing football."

Also what matters is the opportunity to win a championship. It is a new experience for Johnson and Lett.

"This is the first chance I've ever had to play for a state championship," Johnson, who is third on the Lions with 31 catches, said. "In high school, we missed our chance to go to the playoffs, so this is a great opportunity."

Added Lett: "My first time playing for a state championship and it's a very good opportunity for me."

That chance comes against a program with its sights set on a third straight and 15th state crown overall. Still, neither regrets heading to Scooba and the Lions instead of Gulf Coast.

"I was really trying to get away," said Lett, who is second on the team with 80 tackles, including a team-high 18 for loss. "I was looking for a place to go."

Added Johnson: "Coach (Marcus) Wood, he was my high school coach, and he came and said they wanted me up herey. They gave me that chance and I came here and did my thing."

Stephens said part of that could be the success they've found at EMCC.

"I think they've validated the reason they came here," he said. "They weren't given an opportunity at Gulf Coast and they felt like they wanted to be a part of a championship program.”