Sophomore running back Donterrius Poe fights for some of his 71 first half rushing yards against Southwest. The Philadelphia High School product came off the bench to ignite the Warriors’ running game. (EC Photo)
The Southwest Mississippi Community College Bears overcame a four-touchdown performance from freshman quarterback Mario Asagunla to defeat the East Central Community College Warriors 38-34 in the season finale for both teams Thursday evening, Oct. 26.
East Central jumped out to a quick 14-0 lead by setting the big play tone early. Mario Asagunla would throw the first of his three first-half touchdown passes. Antonio Gibson hauled in a 27-yard scoring strike. After the PAT by Zach Engell, the Warriors led 7-0.
Just seconds later, Southwest fumbled on its first offensive play of the game and the Warriors took over on the Bear 29. On the next play, Asagunla hit a streaking tight end Nigel Wood in the end zone for East Central’s second score with less than two minutes gone off the game clock.
Southwest pulled within a touchdown midway through the first quarter with a 65-yard drive capped by a one-yard run by quarterback Juwan Adams on fourth and goal.
East Central’s next big play of the first half came on the first play of the second quarter on a 39-yard jet sweep by wide receiver Kevontaye Caston to extend the Warrior lead back to two touchdowns.
Southwest again pulled within seven in the second quarter with a seven-play, 85-yard drive capped by a two-yard run by running back Chase Hughes.
Big play number four for East Central came with just three seconds showing on the halftime clock as Asagunla threw his third touchdown of the half and the second to Wood, this one from the eight-yard line.
Southwest went to the big play in the third quarter to tie the game at 28-28, and more importantly grab the momentum. Southwest’s Pier’e Jones caught and interceptionand raced 75 yards for the score.
Adams hit wide receiver Neil McLaurin in stride for a 99-yard play.
Asagunla tossed his fourth touchdown, this time for 12 yards to sophomore tight end Chris Deloach from Columbus to cap a short 43-yard drive. The PAT was no good, but the Warriors had a 34-28 lead.
After pulling to within 34-31 with a 35-yard field goal, Adams connected with McLaurin again and Southwest had its 38-34 lead with 4:03 to play.
East Central would get one final shot to win the game with three plays from the Bear eight-yard line in the final minute. But Asagunla was off target on three passes and Southwest was able to run the clock out for the win.
East Central was penalized 13 times on the game for 110 yards. The Warriors had two second half touchdowns called back due to holding penalties.
East Central had 23 first downs on the night to 13 for Southwest.
Asagunla was 19 or 35 passing for 235 yards and the four scores. Wood had four receptions for 43 yards and two touchdowns. Sophomore running back Donterrius Poe out of Philadelphia High School rushed for 99 yards, including 71 in the first half.
