CLARKSDALE, Miss. - The breaks finally went the way of the Northeast Mississippi Community College football team.
The Tigers used a handful of clutch plays down the home stretch to wrap up a thrilling 21-20 triumph at Coahoma Community College on Thursday, October 21 at James E. Miller Stadium.
Northeast has suffered three heartbreaking losses of five points or less during the 2021 campaign. A fourth such defeat was not in the cards thanks in part to the efforts of Cedric Hillsman and Steven Edwards.
First, Hillsman blocked an extra point attempt that would have tied the game with 8:05 remaining in the fourth quarter. The deflection instead resulted in the visiting Tigers (2-6, 2-3) keeping a narrow advantage.
Coahoma, which is receiving votes in the latest National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) rankings, got the ball back and drove to the Northeast eight-yard line with less than one minute to go.
However, Edwards picked off a pass in the corner of the end zone to thwart the homestanding Tigers' come-from-behind efforts and seal the win for Northeast. It was his second interception of the season.
"In the moment, I had a feeling that it was coming towards me," said Edwards. "It was the first big play of the season for me. Everybody on the sideline was hyped. The team came together tonight."
Coahoma (4-4, 3-3) led 6-0 after the opening period, but a pair of Tigers accounted for their first career touchdowns at the collegiate level in the second to take a 14-6 lead into the locker room.
Cayden Betts got Northeast on the scoreboard with an eight-yard touchdown run. The first of three successful point after tries by John Ellis Murrah gave the Tigers a 7-6 advantage with 11:03 left before halftime.
Caleb Anderson expanded Northeast's lead with perhaps the most impressive individual play of the entire year to date. He crossed the goal line after dragging multiple defenders more than 35 yards following the initial contact.
"I've never seen a play like that in my whole life," Tigers head coach Greg Davis said. "I've never seen a wide receiver catch a ball and then drag three, four guys into the end zone. To see it live was amazing."
A fumble recovery by Keyshawn Cobb near midfield set up Northeast's lone score of the second half. JT Moore transitioned the turnover into points with a six-yard quarterback sneak at the 8:19 mark of the third period.
Moore was solid in his first start of the season behind center for the Tigers. He completed 7 of 16 passes for 160 yards and tied Tam Patterson for a team-best 59 rushing yards on 13 total carries.
"I just had to come out here and let everything fall into place," said Moore. "Our receivers had a good game. The whole o-line had a good game. They executed and blocked everybody. We beat the adversity."
Jamarcus Smith posted his inaugural double-digit tackling performance of the year with 14 stops. Defensive linemen Jamal Ellis and Alfernee Hankins both recorded a sack for Northeast.
"I love this team," Davis said. "We came out with the victory because we finished. They believed all week. I think that our defense played up to their capability. Hats off to our players for competing."
The Tigers conclude the regular season by hosting Holmes Community College on Thursday, October 28. Kickoff is set for 6:30 p.m. with Northeast's sophomore recognition ceremony part of the pregame festivities from Tiger Stadium.