Co-Lin falls to No. 1 East Miss

SCOOBA, Miss. – The No. 16 Copiah-Lincoln Community College Wolves closed out the 2018 season with a 31-7 loss to No. 1 East Mississippi Community College Lions. The Wolves finished the year 6-4 overall and 5-1 in the MACJC South Division. 2018 was Co-Lin's first playoff berth in four years.

Saturday's game was all East Miss as the Lions posted 429 total yards to Co-Lin's 203. East scored on the opening possession, an 11 play 86-yard drive, but the game turned into a defensive battle for the rest of the first quarter and half of the second. The Lions stretched the lead to 14-0 with 2:58 remaining in the half after a TyQuan Ulmer 4-yard touchdown rush capped off a 7 play 48-yard drive.

A Co-Lin punt gave East possession once again and a lengthy drive was stalled deep in Co-Lin's territory as the Wolves made a strong stand before the half. The Lions led 14-0 at the break.

East scored 10 in the third quarter to stretch the lead to 24-0, but Co-Lin found the end zone midway through the fourth to get on the board. Hayden Davis connected with DeMartre Collins from 17-yards out to score Co-Lin's lone touchdown. Ashton Garner knocked in the extra point to cut the lead to 24-7.

The Lions scored on the ensuing possession to pull the game to the final score, 31-7.

Despite the loss, Co-Lin had some great performances and some bright spots in the game, including Harrell Blackmon's interception midway through the first quarter. Taijh Alston had an outstanding game on the defensive side with 12 tackles, three sacks, and six tackles for loss. RJ Jarrett also got double-digit tackles with 12. Offensively Rico Owens posted 55 yards on 14 carries and Kundarrius Taylor led the Wolves in receptions with four and yards with 66. Hayden Davis was 9-of-24 for 147 a score and an interception. Collins finished with two catches for 50 yards and a score.

Messiah deWeaver led East with 272 yards and a score in the air after going 27-of-33. Deon McIntosh posted 110 yards and one score on 23 carries and Julian Connor posted 73 receiving yards on three catches. Defensively Everitt Cunningham led the Lions with eight tackles, four sacks, and 4.5 tackles for loss.