Indians open North Divisoin play at Mississippi Delta

Indians open North Divisoin play at Mississippi Delta
Adam Gore/LetsGoICC.com

FULTON, MS -- Itawamba Community College football coach Jon Williams and his Indians are getting caught up in the hype surrounding the program after last week's win against Southwest Mississippi Community College.

The Indians entered this week's National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) football poll as the No. 20 team and moved up to No. 19 in the JC Gridiron ranking after their first 2-0 start to the season since 2007.

"I think the polls are something more for the fans," said ICC head football coach Jon Williams. "We are greatly appreciative to the people that voted us as one of the top teams in the nation, but at the end of the day us as coaches and our players are focused on finishing the week 1-0."

Part of the national spotlight was drawn to Fulton when sophomore linebacker Deryck Gildon (Arlington, TX) earned National Defensive Player of the Week honors by the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) for his performance in the Indians' 22-10 win over Southwest.

"We are very proud of Deryck and his accomplishments because he definitely earned them, but it's also an honor for all the hard work and dedication our defensive as whole has put into this season," said Williams.

ICC goes for its first 3-0 state in six seasons as they travel to Mississippi Delta Community College to open Mississippi Association of Community and Junior Colleges (MACJC) North Division play against a new-look Trojans (0-2, 0-0 MACJC North) football program.

"Mississippi Delta will be the best team we have played so far," Williams said. "They've scored a lot of points on two great opponents and we expect a very tough outing against a much improved team."

The Trojans dropped their season opener 42-21 at No. 6 Hinds Community College and lost their home opener last week 44-29 against Pearl River Community College.

"They give you a lot of different looks on offense," said Williams. "We'll have to know our assignments and execute extremely well on defense because they'll have a lot of good athletes with tons of speed that have big play potential each time they snap the ball."

Linebackers De'Kawm King and LaDerius Hooker, who have turned in double-digit tackles in both games, are leading a Delta defensive unit that has returned three of five turnovers for touchdowns this season.

"They are big and physical on defense," Williams said. "That's been the signature of all good Delta football teams. They will beat on you all night long and take advantage of your mistakes."

Kickoff is slated for 7:00 p.m. after Mississippi Delta pushed the start time back late Tuesday night and can be heard on WAFM 95.7 FM (Amory) starting at 6:40 p.m.