East Central Community College will be looking for a second-straight victory when the Warriors visit Hinds Community College Thursday night in the MACJC South Division opener for both teams. Kickoff is set for 6:30 p.m. on the Raymond campus.

The Warriors will also be gunning for their second-straight win over the Eagles.  Hinds actually defeated EC 35-21 in 2008 but the game was forfeited due to an ineligible player on the Eagle squad.

East Central is coming off its 27-24 win over Holmes Community College last week after falling 32-31 to Coahoma Community College in the season opener.

The Eagles are hoping to snap back from its 23-0 loss to Northwest Mississippi Community College. The Eagles began the 2009 campaign by downing Northeast Mississippi Community College 16-7.

The Warriors boast the number-two rated rushing offense in the league, averaging 263 yards for the two contests.

Running back Derrick Cade ranks fourth in individual rushing with 252 yards on 40 carries, a 6.3-yard average. He has one touchdown to his credit. Cade is a 5-9, 220-pound product from Tuscaloosa (Ala.) Central High School.

The EC passing attack is rated eighth and is led by quarterback Emmanuel Taylor, who has completed 33 of 50 passes for 363 yards and five touchdowns.

Overall, EC’s offense is ranked fourth in the state with a 434.5-yard average.

Hinds’ offense is rated near the bottom with a 114-yard average; however, the team’s rushing defense is among the best. The Eagles allow just 74.5 yards rushing per contest and no touchdowns. The Hinds passing defense is not as effective, allowing 233.5 yards per game and four touchdowns.  

The East Central defense has allowed 413 yards per contest and six touchdowns.

Freshman defensive lineman Khalid Wilson leads EC in tackles with 12 solo stops and four assists. Wilson is a 6-1, 280-pound product of Wilson Academy in New Orleans.

East Central kicker Chad Mangum of Aberdeen is rated second in individual scoring among kickers with 16 points. He has connected on all seven PATs and made three of six field goals. Mangum is a 5-9, 175-pound product of Oak Hill Academy.

The ECCC/Hinds matchup can be heard on KICKS 98 (98.3 FM) featuring veteran broadcasters Melvin Wooten and Gilbert Barham.