Indians Stumble, North Division Title Remains Within Reach

FULTON, Miss. – Northeast Mississippi Community College used a decisive second-half surge to defeat No. 15 Itawamba Community College, 41-14.

The loss, ICC's first in conference play, drops the Indians to 5-3 overall (4-1 MACCC North). Northeast improves to 5-3 (3-3 MACCC North).

After the Tigers opened with a 74-yard touchdown pass, Deljay Bailey responded with a 28-yard strike to Nate Branch to tie the game midway through the first quarter. Northeast then seized control with 27 unanswered points.

Branch hauled in his second touchdown of the night on an 8-yard pass to trim the deficit to 34-14 in the fourth quarter before the Tigers added one more score in the final minute to secure the win.

Bailey completed 17 of 23 passes for 155 yards and two touchdowns while leading the team in rushing with 39 yards on 17 carries. Tavaris Coles recorded six receptions for 65 yards. Branch finished with three catches for 38 yards and both of ICC's touchdowns.

The Indians struggled on the ground, finishing with just 93 rushing yards while being flagged for 98 penalty yards.

Amir Scarver posted nine tackles, while Orel Gray and Seth Kidd each added eight. Kole Caldwell recorded the lone sack as ICC tallied four tackles for loss. Rowan Lovorn averaged 40.3 yards per punt.

ICC will look to bounce back in the regular season finale at No. 4 Northwest Mississippi (7-1, 4-1 MACCC North) on Thursday.

A North Division title and playoff berth remain within reach for the Indians.

If ICC and East Mississippi both win, the two programs would share the North Division championship, with the Indians earning the No. 1 seed due to their head-to-head victory over the Lions.

If ICC and Holmes win, the Indians would clinch the North Division outright. Northwest would take the No. 2 seed based on overall record and a three-way head-to-head split: EMCC over Northwest, Northwest over Holmes, and Holmes over EMCC.

If ICC loses, the Indians would need a Holmes win to make the playoffs as the No. 2 seed thanks to their season sweep of EMCC and Holmes.

Thursday's kickoff is set for 7 p.m. in Senatobia. The Metro Ford Pregame Show begins at 6:30 p.m. on SuperTalk 101.9 FM (Tupelo) and LetsGoICCTV.com/red.