Holmes Presents Problem for Trojans on Homecoming

By Mark H. Stowers

Homecoming week at Mississippi Delta Community College has been filled with fun for the campus and community, featuring concerts, food, and plenty of activities. But the week culminates on Thursday, October 9, when the 2025 Homecoming Queen will be crowned during the MDCC (0-5, 0-2 MACCC North) and Holmes Community College (2-3, 2-0 MACCC North) game that begins at 7:00 p.m. at Sandy Wilson Field / Jim Randall Stadium.

Trojan Head Coach Ernest Jones and the rest of the league have had a week of open dates to fine-tune, heal up and get ready for the rest of the MACCC season. Coach Jones explains Holmes' explosiveness as one of the league's highest scoring offenses.

"We're preparing, that's for sure. Offensively, they are pretty explosive with a veteran sophomore team," Coach Jones said. "They have a quarterback (Sophomore Chase Richardson) who is a dual threat. He can run, he can throw, he can run out of the read zone, throw it out of the read zone or hand it off. There are three things that can happen when he's got the ball and he's their leading rusher. And they throw the ball over the place. They have a good offensive line and will be the best offensive team we'll face."

Richardson has thrown for 1,225 yards and 11 TDs in just five games, along with 242 rushing yards and a rushing TD.

The Holmes defense will be just as tough for the Trojans to handle.

"We struggle with fronts and this is another d-line front that comes off the ball and shoots gaps, sacks the quarterback and tackles running backs. That d-line is as good as I've seen. We've got to try and protect the quarterback and get them blocked and try to run through some holes. They've got some skill guys in their back seven and can cover some receivers and slide guys. They are just a really good football team. You wouldn't know they are a 2-3 team."

The plan is to "take some time off the clock" while on offense and try to find a way to contain Richardson.

The team is still mourning the loss of freshman offensive lineman Emanuell Cooks, who passed away after the game at Hinds Community College on September 18. With a helmet sticker to honor his memory, the team continues to work through the grief of losing a teammate.

"We still talk about it every day. We break off with 'Big E, on three!' and we're still talking to his mother, she's still going through it. We talk to her a couple of times a week and check in. We have helmet stickers to honor him and he's still with us," Coach Jones said.

Looking at the game, Coach Jones is looking to play for Big E, all the MDCC alumni and fans on homecoming night.

"We just want to get out there and be competitive. It's homecoming and it's for everyone else. We want to give the alumni and the community something to cheer for."