By Mark H. Stowers

A road loss to the Itawamba Community College Indians (1-4 overall, 1-2 MACCC North) slumped the Mississippi Delta Community College Trojans' record to 1-4 overall and 1-2 in the MACCC North. The 29-0 defeat left the Trojans with no healthy quarterbacks and a lot more questions than answers.

"We're down to one (quarterback – freshman Stephen Winfield) and he's banged up," Head Coach Tavares Johnson Sr. said.

Freshman Troy Griffin injured his hand and got three stitches. Sophomore Thalamus Marshall was inefficient in his turn behind center.

Coach Johnson's main concern is the toughness or lack thereof his team is showing.

"We're just not physical enough. We're not wrapping up," he said. "We need a lot more blocking. We run drill after drill after drill. We just have to become more physical. It's a mentality. You have got to want to dominate the man in front of you. We're not doing it. We're not coming off the ball – on both sides of the ball. We have to give the punch and not take the punch. We have a short time to get it done because our schedule isn't getting any easier."

Coach Johnson and his staff have been working coaching overtime trying to close the gap but knows in the end, it's up to the player.

"We have to apply what is being taught at practice. It's not a sin to get blocked. It's a sin to stay blocked," Coach Johnson said. "We're going to continue coaching and we're going to continue to teach. The lightbulb is going to come on with some individuals." 

The Trojans gave up 29 points but couldn't manage to put any up. Overall, MDCC had 169 total yards – 83 passing and 89 rushing. The Trojans only converted 3-of-15 third downs but were 2-of-3 on converting fourth downs. Two interceptions and two lost fumbles hurt the Trojans throughout the game. The three Trojan quarterbacks combined for only 12-24 passes and no touchdowns.

Upcoming Matchup

The Trojans are back home at the friendly confines of Jim Randall Stadium this coming Thursday, October 12 when they host the #10 nationally ranked Northwest Rangers who lost to #13 East last week, 35-17. Coach Johnson knows there's no breathing room with all the nationally ranked teams and talent in the MACCC.

"This year, everybody is beating up on everybody with the exception of us," he said. "Two undefeated teams left – #12 Northeast and #4 Gulf Coast. It's Mississippi JUCO at its finest. We have to go in, week in and week out and show up and play."

And Coach Johnson isn't expecting Northwest to be any different than what they are. 

"Northwest is going to be Northwest. Inside zone, outside zone, play action and they want to get the ball into their athlete's hands. That big receiver they have on the outside and let that big running back bang it inside. Every now and then the quarterback will boot it out there. They live on big plays. I saw Northeast took that away – their big plays. And Northwest had to do it the long way."

Even in scouting the opponent, Coach Johnson knows his team must worry about themselves.

"We have to focus on ourselves. It's not about the other team. Are we satisfied with just beating Coahoma? No one is going to give you anything in this league. You have to go out and take everything that you want," he said. "Every week we are making changes. We have to find some consistent players who do what we ask, week in and week out. That's my coaching mission." 

This past week Coach Johnson took control of the special team coaching and they showed improvement.

"My special teams coach went down and I had to step in. I was pleasantly surprised. We even had a long return on a kickoff. That's something we put in this week," he said. "I thought we did a good job of setting up our power play on the kick return. We had the right people out there and just need players to play on both sides of the ball and special teams."

Coach Johnson is hot on the recruiting trail and has his sights set on several talented players.

"I want them but they have to want us," he said.

Across the MACCC, East Central took down Southwest, 48-15, Northeast beat Holmes, 37-20, Mississippi Gulf Coast took down Pearl River, 52-21 and Jones College defeated Hinds, 21-3. Co-Lin beat Coahoma, 20-6.