Just Short: CCC Rallies But Drops 2014 Finale To Northwest

The CCC 2014 football season came to a disappointing end Thursday against the Northwest CC Rangers. Northwest turned the ball over seven times, but the Tigers failed to take advantage of the "gimmes," completing their winless season by falling 34-29.

The Tigers put up their best productive offensive game of the nine game schedule Thursday night as they racked up 506 total offensive yards behind a 420 yard passing effort by sophomore quarterback Anthony Mitchell, Jr. But interceptions killed the Tigers in the second half and sent them on their way to a final loss in 2014. 

Northwest opened the scoring early in the first quarter when RB Justin Crawford carried one over the right side from the Tiger 8-yard line to make it a 7-0 Northwest lead. 

The Tigers put together a number of long drives on the night, starting with an eight play, 77 yard drive on their second possession. Trailing 14-6 later in the quarter, the Tigers would once again strike. This time it was Anthony Mitchell, Jr. connecting with James Hill for a 31-yard TD pass that pulled the Tigers within two. 

In the second, CCC took the lead. Cody Spears, who had missed an extra point earlier in the game, came in to nail a 27 yard field goal for  the Tigers and make it 15-14. It was only the third time the Tigers held a lead this season.

Unfortunately, they could not hold the advantage. After recovering a fumble, the Tigers looked poised to add to their lead. Northwest's Brandon Mack had other ideas. He picked Anthony Mitchell off in Tiger territory to set up another rushing touchdown for Crawford, who took it in from the CCC 7 to put the Rangers back on top.

Coahoma had opportunities in the second half to put the game away, but failed to convert recovered fumbles into enough points to secure the win. Northwest fumbled four times in the half, including on their first play from scrimmage. The miscues amounted to little though. Each time the Rangers fumbled, the Tigers turned the ball right back over. Crawford's fumble to start the half was erased by a Mitchell interception at the Northwest 5. Mitchell and Mickey Ridley, Jr. combined for 3 picks in the half. 

Coahoma's defensive unit was impressive. Devin Williams paced the team by getting in on 8 tackles, and Tyler Beard registered two forced fumbles. Athlete of the Week D'Angelo Tucker came up with a huge stop late in the third quarter, delivering a crushing blow on NW's Justin Crawford and recovering the ensuing loose ball at the Tiger 5. 

Trailing 28-15 early in the 4th, Coahoma put together an electric 6-play, 75-yard scoring drive that was capped by a 7-yard TD pass by Mitchell to K'Shun Evans. The two had hooked up earlier in the drive for a 46-yard highlight play.

The Tiger defense came up huge once again late in the quarter. With the Rangers on the doorstep, Crawford fumbled once again. Tiger DL Jalen Tolbert pounced on it to give the Tigers the ball and a chance to put together a game-winning drive.

Instead, the Tigers went four-and-out, giving Northwest the ball once again just a yard from the end zone. Crawford managed to punch it in this time to make it 34-22.

The CCC did not go quietly though. With just 0:44 to go in the game, Mitchell hooked up with Hill for a 52-yard TD pass that brought the Tigers within 5. Unfortunately they could not convert the ensuing onside kick, and the night, though ugly, ultimately belonged to Northwest

Despite a record of just 4-5, the Rangers moved themselves into the state junior college playoff picture.  Northwest will be seeded from the North Division behind the number one team in the nation, East Mississippi Community College.  The Rangers will meet Copiah-Lincoln CC, while EMCC takes on the South's runner-up Gulf Coast.

The Tigers wrapped up their season 0-9. As a team, they accumulated 2423 yards on offense this season, averaged 15.56 points per game, and scored 20 touchdowns. Christian Williams led the team in rushing with 206 yards gained from scrimmage. Ridley led the team in passing, throwing for 5 scores and finishing with a completion percentage of just under 58%. D'Angelo Tucker led the team in tackles, getting in on 59, including 29 solo, while Quartez Roby paced the team in sacks, recording 3 in 2014.

For photos from the game, courtesty of JUCO Weekly, please click HERE.