Key conference battles set for Week 4 of NJCAA football
September 13, 2012
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – Entering the fourth week of the 2012 NJCAA football season, several conference-title contenders are squaring off in early season showdowns. All teams ranked in the latest NJCAA football poll will be in action with four contests pitting Top 20 squads against one another.
NJCAA Game of the Week
#6 Hinds (2-0) at #4 Mississippi Gulf Coast (2-0)
Thursday, 7:00 p.m. (CT) – WATCH LIVE
Despite only being three weeks into the season, the MACJC (Mississippi Assoc. of Community & Junior Colleges) South Division will have its top two contenders face-off Thursday when No. 6 Hinds travels to No. 4 Mississippi Gulf Coast.
Having claimed four of the last five division titles, Mississippi Gulf Coast could take a huge step toward another crown with a win against visiting Hinds. The MGCCC Bulldogs are led by sophomore running back Byron Nettles who ran for 100 yards and two touchdowns last week in a 46-12 win at Holmes CC (Miss.). Complemented by sophomore quarterback Clint Hatten and a strong defense, the Bulldogs have outscored their opponents 110-26 in their first two contests of 2012.
In 2011, Hinds proved to be in the upper echelon of the MACJC but couldn’t find victory against MGCCC or eventual national champion East Mississippi CC. With 13 returning starters, the Eagles are hungry to take their program to the next level in 2012. Sophomore running back Jabari Baker has posted 100 yards rushing in both of Hinds’ games thus far and has totaled three touchdowns on the ground. The Eagles also return 2011 second team All-American defensive lineman Dontrill Hyman (right - #8) who has three sacks this season.
Hinds and Mississippi Gulf Coast met in the last game of the regular season in 2011 with the division championship on the line. The Bulldogs jumped out to an early 28-0 lead before Hinds stormed back to cut the lead to 28-26 in the fourth quarter. Gulf Coast then punched in a late rushing touchdown to seal the 35-26 victory.
Other Games to Watch
#17 College of DuPage (3-0) at #5 Iowa Western (3-0) – Saturday, 1:00 p.m. (CT) – WATCH LIVE LIVE AUDIO
The Reivers of Iowa Western have had one of the most impressive starts to the 2012 season, defeating two ranked opponents by double digits. After last week’s 35-28 upset of No. 15 Iowa Central CC, DuPage has established themselves as a contender in the MFC (Midwest Football Conference)
#8 Eastern Arizona (2-0) at #18 Scottsdale (2-0) – Saturday, 7:00 p.m. (PT) – LIVE AUDIO
Eastern Arizona has won at least eight games in each of the last five seasons but has been unable to claim the WSFL (Western States Football League) crown. Their first test of the season will be on the road against the Fighting Artichokes who are out to prove that they also belong in the upper tier of the conference.
#19 Kilgore (2-0) at #11 Trinity Valley (2-1) – Saturday, 7:00 p.m. (CT) – LIVE AUDIO
After a disappointing loss to No. 6 Iowa Western last week, the Trinity Valley Cardinals will try to get back on track against the visiting Rangers. Kilgore’s 38-30 win at No. 13 Tyler JC (Texas) last week catapulted the Rangers into the Top 20 for the first time since 2008.
This Week in the Top 20
All Times Local
*Non-NJCAA member school
It is the responsibility of each NJCAA school to post their own scores to the NJCAA website using the NJCAA Stat System.
Scores are also updated on the “Scoreboard” section of the JCFootball.com NJCAA board.
This Week in the Top 20
1. East Mississippi (2-0) at Southwest Mississippi (0-1) – Thursday, 7:00 p.m.
2. Butler (3-0) at Independence (2-1) – Saturday, 7:00 p.m.
3. Arizona Western (1-0) at Pima (0-2) – Saturday, 7:00 p.m.
4. Mississippi Gulf Coast (2-0) vs. #6 Hinds (2-0) – Thursday, 7:00 p.m.
5. Iowa Western (3-0) vs. #17 College of DuPage (3-0) – Saturday, 1:30 p.m.
6. Hinds (2-0) at #4 Mississippi Gulf Coast (2-0) – Thursday, 7:00 p.m.
7. Navarro (2-0) vs. Cisco (0-2) – Saturday, 7:00 p.m.
8. Eastern Arizona (2-0) at #18 Scottsdale (2-0) – Saturday, 7:00 p.m.
9. Blinn (1-1) vs. NE Oklahoma A&M (2-0) – Saturday, 7:00 p.m.
10. Northwest Mississippi (1-0) vs. Coahoma (0-2) – Thursday, 6:30 p.m.
11. Georgia Military (2-0) at Dean (1-1) – Saturday, 1:00 p.m.
11. Trinity Valley (2-1) vs. #19 Kilgore (2-0) – Saturday, 7:00 p.m.
13. Nassau (2-0) at Monroe (1-1) – Saturday, 12 p.m.
14. Hutchinson (2-1) vs. Dodge City (0-3) – Saturday, 7:00 p.m.
15. Snow (2-1) vs. Glendale (1-1) – Saturday, 12:00 p.m.
16. Rochester (3-0) at Central Lakes (2-1) – Saturday, 1:30 p.m.
17. College of DuPage (3-0) at #5 Iowa Western (3-0) – 1:30 p.m.
18. Scottsdale (2-0) vs. #8 Eastern Arizona (2-0) – Saturday, 7:00 p.m.
19. Kilgore (2-0) at #11 Trinity Valley (2-1) – Saturday, 7:00 p.m.
20. Itawamba (2-0) at Mississippi Delta (0-2) – Thursday, 6:30 p.m.
20. Tyler (1-1) vs. *Southeast Prep – Saturday, 7:00 p.m.
Top NFL Performances from Former NJCAA Student-Athletes
Matt Bryant, K – Atlanta Falcons (Trinity Valley ’94) – Bryant (right) got off to a hot start to kick off the 2012 season. Entering his 11th season in the NFL, Bryant showcased his veteran experience with four field goals and four extra points in the Falcons’ 40-24 win at the Kansas City Chiefs. The former TVCC Cardinal’s longest field goal of the afternoon was a 41-yarder that put Atlanta up 40-17 in the 4th quarter.
Johnathan Joseph, DB – Houston Texans (Coffeyville ’03) – The Texans defense showcased its talents in the first week of 2012 with three interceptions including one by Joseph. Trailing 3-0 in the second quarter, the former Red Raven gave Houston a spark by picking off Miami Dolphins’ quarterback Ryan Tannehill at midfield and returning the ball 36 yards to the Dolphins 14-yard line. Joseph added four tackles in the game as Houston cruised to a 30-10 victory.
Donald Jones, WR – Buffalo Bills (Lackawanna ’07) – Entering the 2012 season with only two career touchdown receptions, Jones didn’t waste any time improving on that statistic against the New York Jets. Jones caught a 6-yard touchdown pass from Bills’ quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick midway through the fourth quarter. The former Falcon totaled five catches on the afternoon for 41 yards.
Top NCAA (FBS) Performances from Former NJCAA Student-Athletes
Damien Williams, RB – Oklahoma (Arizona Western ‘11) – It didn’t take Williams (right) long to catch the eyes of the nation after his performance against Florida A&M. Williams carried the ball 10 times for 156 yards, the most of any Sooner making their home debut. The former Matador scored four touchdowns on the night and is averaging 129.5 rushing yards per game, ranking 12th in the FBS. No. 5 Oklahoma and Williams have this week off before hosting No. 15 Kansas State.
Bo Wallace, QB – Ole Miss (East Mississippi ’11) – Wallace has proven through his first two games that he is as talented as advertised. The 2011 NJCAA Offensive Player of the Year completed 15-of-22 passes for 174 yards and three touchdowns last week to lead the Rebels to a 28-10 win over UTEP. Wallace added 56 yards and a touchdown on the ground to the effort. Saturday, Wallace will lead Ole Miss into a clash with No. 14 Texas.
Darius Slay, DB – Mississippi State (Itawamba ’10) – Leading Auburn 28-10 early in the fourth quarter, the Bulldogs’ defense was backed up at their own 14-yard line. On third down, Slay came up with an interception in the end zone that killed Auburn’s hopes for a comeback. Mississippi State and Slay will host Troy Saturday.
Complete NJCAA Football Schedule (Sept. 13-16)
All Times Local
*Non-NJCAA member school
It is the responsibility of each NJCAA school to post their own scores to the NJCAA website using the NJCAA Stat System
Scores are also updated on the “Scoreboard” section of the JCFootball.com NJCAA board.
Thursday, Sept. 13
MCAC (Minnesota College Athletic Conference)
Fond du Lac (1-2) at Itasca (0-3) – 7:00 p.m.
MACJC (Mississippi Assoc. of Community & Junior Colleges)
#1 East Mississippi (2-0) at Southwest Mississippi (0-1) – 7:00 p.m.
#6 Hinds (2-0) at #4 Mississippi Gulf Coast (2-0) – 7:00 p.m.
Coahoma (0-2) at #10 Northwest Mississippi (1-0) – 6:30 p.m.
#20 Itawamba (2-0) at Mississippi Delta (0-2) – 6:30 p.m.
1Northeast Mississippi (1-1) vs. Holmes (0-2) – 7:00 p.m.
Jones County (1-1) at Pearl River (1-1) – 7:00 p.m.
East Central (0-2) at Copiah-Lincoln (1-1) – 7:00 p.m.
1Played at Madison Central High School
Friday, Sept. 14
Non-Conference
*Mayville JV at North Dakota SCS (0-1) – 6:00 p.m.
Saturday, Sept. 15
Non-Conference
#11 Georgia Military (2-0) at Dean (1-1) – 1:00 p.m.
*Southeast Prep at #20 Tyler (1-1) – 7:00 p.m.
Arkansas Baptist (0-3) at Ellsworth (0-2) – 11:00 a.m.
Alfred State (1-0) at Erie (0-2) – 1:00 p.m.
Iowa Central (1-1) at Dakota-Bottineau (0-1) – 12:00 p.m.
KJCCC (Kansas Jayhawk Community College Conference)
#2 Butler (3-0) at Independence (2-1) – 7:00 p.m.
Dodge City (0-3) at #14 Hutchinson (2-1) – 7:00 p.m.
Coffeyville (1-2) at Fort Scott (1-2) – 1:00 p.m.
MFC (Midwest Football Conference)
#17 College of DuPage (3-0) at #5 Iowa Western (3-0) – 1:00 p.m.
MCAC (Minnesota College Athletic Conference)
#16 Rochester (3-0) at Central Lakes (2-1) – 1:30 p.m.
Northland (2-1) at Minnesota West (3-0) – 12:00 p.m.
Vermilion (0-3) at Mesabi Range (0-3) – 1:30 p.m.
Ridgewater (3-0) at Minnesota State (1-2) – 1:30 p.m.
NFC (Northeast Football Conference)
#13 Nassau (2-0) at Monroe (1-1) – 12 p.m.
2Hudson Valley (0-2) vs. Lackawanna (2-0) – 2:00 p.m.
2Played in Peckville, Pa.
SWJCFC (Southwest Junior College Football Conference)
Cisco (0-2) at #7 Navarro (2-0) – 7:00 p.m.
Northeastern Oklahoma A&M (2-0) at #9 Blinn (1-1) – 7:00 p.m.
#19 Kilgore (2-0) at #11 Trinity Valley (2-1) – 7:00 p.m.
WSFL (Western States Football League)
#3 Arizona Western (1-0) at Pima (0-2) – 7:00 p.m.
#8 Eastern Arizona (2-0) at #18 Scottsdale (2-0) – 7:00 p.m.
Glendale (1-1) at #15 Snow (2-1) – 12:00 p.m.
Mesa (1-1) at New Mexico Military (2-1) – 7:00 p.m.
Sunday, Sept. 16
Non-Conference
3Louisburg (2-0) vs. *Gray Military – 1:00 p.m.
ASA (2-0) at *Wagner JV – 1:00 p.m.
Globe (1-1) at *Salisbury – 3:30 p.m.
3Played at Old Franklinton High School
For more information on NJCAA Football, download the 2012 NJCAA Football Media Guide.
About the NJCAA
Since 1938 the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) has been the governing body of two-year college athletics, offering athletic and academic opportunities to college students. Now entering its 75th anniversary, the NJCAA is the second largest national intercollegiate athletic organization in the United States with over 500 member schools in 43 states. Each year over 60,000 student-athletes compete in one of 28 different sports and the organization sponsors 48 national championship events and nine football bowl games. NJCAA Headquarters has been located in Colorado Springs, Colo., since 1985. For more information visit www.njcaa.org.
Photos Courtesy of Trinity Valley Community College, Bob Smith, Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College, Eastern Arizona College, Atlanta Falcons and Ty Russell/OU Athletics Communications.
