ICC Hosts Northeast for North Division Rival Game
Lee Adams/LetsGoICC.com
ICC and Northeast will renew their rivalry on the football field Thursday night in Fulton in their 54th meeting.
The Indians and the Tigers have played some of the nation's top teams this season and both come into Thursday night rivalry game with identical records. Both teams are in need of win to keep their playoff hopes alive, but it won't be an easy win for either team. The importance of this game is not lost on ICC head coach Sean Cannon.
"It's a big game and it's a rivalry for a reason," said Cannon. "I know Coach (Ricky) Smithers will have his guys ready to go so it's going to be a battle. They are fighting and clawing for a playoff spot just like we are. So there is going to be a lot more than pride and bragging rights on the line this year."
The Indians (2-4, 2-2) have won the last four meetings with the Tigers and hold a 34-16-3 series lead. However, last season's game was decided by only three points and both teams appear to be fairly evenly matched on paper. Northeast has allowed an average of 34.2 points per game and ICC has allowed 30.8. Also the Tigers are averaging 18 points scored per game while the Indians are scoring 20.7. Things are shaping up to be another classic between these two rivals.
Defense
The Indians are coming off an outstanding defensive performance as they held Coahoma to only 14-points and 27-rushing yards on Saturday. With the defense eliminating the run game, Coahoma was forced to pass which led to some pick plays by the secondary. The Indian defense forced five turnovers that killed any momentum the Tigers tried to get going. Myles Harges (Grenada) led the defensive performance by recording 12 total tackles and Brujoun Bonner (St. Petersburg, FL) recovering two fumbles. The Indians will need another big performance out the defense and this time on a short week.
Offense
The Indians are coming off their most impressive offensive performance of the season and it came with a quarterback change. D'Andre Belton (Ridgeway, SC) had been starting as the Indians' quarterback, but was moved to wide receiver Saturday and Kwandra Griggs (Greenwood) was under center. Griggs got the start and was 8-19 for 158-yards and threw one touchdown, but Belton threw one of the most impressive passes of the day on a 23-yard laser to Quin Tiggs (Tupelo) for a touchdown. Jesse Hosket (French Camp) also took some snaps and added to the Indian's passing game completing five passes for 93-yards and one touchdown. The trio combined for 274-yards through the air and each threw a touchdown pass. Even with the air attack working well for the Indians, they did not abandon their running game. The Indians rushed for a total of 184-yards led by Richard McQuarley (Meridian) with 86-yards and one touchdown. After the impressive performance the Indians hope to carry that momentum over into Thursday night.
The Foe
Northeast, much like ICC, has played some very tough competition this season as they have faced the No.1 and No. 3 teams in the nation in East Mississippi and Gulf Coast. Most recently they suffered a tough 14-7 North Division road loss last week at the hands of MS Delta. The Tigers have picked up wins over Coahoma 49-35 and Northwest 25-19 OT, which keeps their playoff hopes alive. This season, the Tigers are averaging 271-yards per game while allowing 379, and have 1,627-yards of total offense. According to NJCAA, the Tigers are fifth in the nation in time of possession with 35:52 per game. Also, the Tigers are tenth in the nation in red zone scoring. Northeast starting quarterback Brett Thompson has thrown for 1,057-yrds this season with 10 touchdowns, but as also thrown 10 interceptions. The Tigers are sure to bring their best effort Thursday night as the rivalry is renewed in Fulton.
Thursday's game will be broadcast live from Eaton Field on WAFM 95.7 FM (Amory) and LetsGoICC.com with the Davis Ford Pregame Show starting at 6:40 p.m. followed by the First American National Bank Opening Kickoff at 7 p.m.
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