Looking to send the sophomores out with a bang, Southwest closes out the 2011 season Thursday when it hosts East Central at John I. Hurst Stadium at 6:30 p.m.
Southwest comes into the game 3-5 overall (1-4 MACJC South) after a tough 42-35 loss at Jones County last week while the Warriors are 1-7(0-5) after an equally tough 7-6 defeat at Co-Lin.
“This being a home game and Sophomore Night, our sophomores are going to want to go out with a win in front of their parents,” said Southwest coach Charles Anthony. “We've been in the same situation the last couple of years and we've played pretty good to end the season.”
The Warriors enter the last game with the No. 12 total offense in the league (278.1 yards per game). They average 118.8 yards on the ground and 160.6 via the air.
“East Central has got a good running game,” Anthony said. “(Dennis Thames) is really good. He's a Mississippi State transfer.”
Originally slated to play defense, Thames has picked up 317 yards and two touchdowns on 81 carries.
Anthony also noted Reggie Hall is their best receiver (35 catches, 418 yards).
“They try to get him and the running back the ball a lot of different ways,” he said. “They lost their first team quarterback in the Hinds County game (a 31-19 loss) and their backup (Jesse Blakemore) is now the starter.”
According to Anthony, East Central has a gigantic offensive line but have been plagued by turnovers the entire season.
The Bears' league-leading rushing game will face one of their stiffest tests against East Central. The Warriors are allowing only 93.8 rushing yards each week while Southwest is totaling 236.6. Overall, the Warriors are giving up 287.9 yards a night — 194.1 through the air.
“Their defense starts with one of the hugest fronts we've seen all year,” Anthony said. “They're real active at linebacker and play a lot of multiple fronts. They do a lot of blitzing.”
Linebacker Chris Ficklin leads East Central with 66 solo tackles and 92 total. The Warriors have four players with at least one interception while Lakenneth Weidman tops the team with 6 1/2 sacks.
“East Central always reminds me of us,” Anthony said. “They're real competitive. They generally don't quit and fight you to the end. They're always a physical team. Our games with them always go down to the wire.”
Under Anthony's direction, Southwest has won the past five games against East Central by an average score of 23.6-16, including last year's 20-15 win in Decatur.
There will be a pregame ceremony slated to recognize the sophomores before kickoff. The game can be heard on WAKH 105.7 FM (K106) and on the internet at k106.net.
