DECATUR — Coahoma Community College quarterback Dominic Marino (R-Fr. Sarasota, FL) completed 20-of-38 passes for 330 yards and two touchdowns, but also threw three costly interceptions during the Tigers road loss Thursday on the road against East Central Community College in Decatur.
The Tigers looked to be on their way to victory early after giving up a field early in the first quarter. Marino led the Tigers down the field on a 7-play, 80 yard scoring drive that was capped off by a 45-yard touchdown pass to Earnest Butler (Fr. Shelby, MS). Kian Richard (Fr. Church Point, La) tacked on the extra point and the Tigers led 7-3.
Butler would finish the game with three catches for 83 yards, while gaining 55 on the ground on 13 rushing attempts.
But East Central would respond finding the end zone three more times in the second half including an interception returned for a score after a deflected pass with 4:28 left in the first quarter.
Marino would hit Devonta Jones (Fr. Morton, MS) for a second score early in the 2nd quarter, but the extra point was blocked and CCC trailed 24-13 headed into the half.
The Cohaoma offense wouldn't find the end zone again in the second half, while ECCC kicked two field goals, scored on a 76-yard run and a 51-yard scoring pass.
The Tigers defense was led by Gabriel Baldwin (So. Olive Branch, MS) who finished the game with 12 total tackles and Quartez Roby (So. Cleveland, MS) and Micheal Shirley (Fr. Southaven, MS) who both finished with 10 total tackles.
CCC's offense put up a total a 374 yards, but fell victim to the big plays of the Warriors who finished with nearly 500 yards of total offense.
The Tigers are in for another tough road test this Thursday night as they travel into a hostile environment in Scooba, MS where the defending National Champions East Mississippi will be chomping at the bit after losing its first game in 25 appearances and falling just one win short of the national junior college record last week at Copiah-Lincoln.
The Lions fell to the Wolfpack in overtime 31-24. Kickoff is scheduled for the MAJC Northern Division contest for 7 p.m. in Scooba, MS.
For a photo gallery of CCC's game vs East Central CLICK HERE!
