Lions hope to end slide

By By Jeff Byrd / staff writer
Oct. 18, 2002
SCOOBA East Mississippi hopes to end a three-game slide Saturday when Northwest Community College visits for the Lions homecoming. Kickoff is set for 2 p.m. at Sullivan-Windham Stadium.
The streak has left the Lions at 2-4 on the season and 1-3 in Region 23 North Division play. The good news is that Coach Tom Goode's team has been in every game this season.
No team has scored more than 17 points against the Lions in any game this season. This includes identical 17-10 losses to Holmes last week and to nationally ranked Jones in week one.
The bad news is that the Lions have had great difficulty in putting points on the board. The one game they lost by more than seven points, against Mississippi Delta at home, they were inside the Delta 20-yard line six times, but managed only seven points.
An interception in the endzone, a fumble inside the 10, two missed field goals, and a stoppage on downs inside the one-yard line did the Lions in against Delta. Then one could also add the 3-0 loss at home to Northeast in week four.
The Lions have not won a home game in over two years. That's something they hope to erase on Saturday.
The Rangers will bring the league's second best passing attack to Scooba. They are averaging 191 yards per game through the air.
Quarterback Robison has connected on 53-of-137 passes for 918 yards and 10 touchdowns. Harris is the leading receiver in the state with 33 catches and nine touchdowns.
Goode hopes his team can continue the good effort shown in the second half of the Holmes game. The Lions were down 17-0 at the half but rallied to within 17-10 by the end of the game.
The Lions played without quarterback Daniel Spinks in the first half. He was slowed by a bad toe.
Spinks has completed 66-of-127 passes for 877 yards and five touchdowns. Chris Maddox and Niko Edwards are the top Lion receivers. Running back Marvin Sommerville has 339 yards rushing.
The Lions defense is led by linebacker Ken Hollis who is second in the state in tackles with 71 including 54 solos. Renuel Green has made 52 stops while Joe White has made 49.