SCOOBA, Miss. – For his efforts in last Thursday’s 28-9 season-opening home win over Copiah-Lincoln, East Mississippi Community College sophomore strong safety Alex Hill has been named the Region 23/Mississippi Association of Community and Junior Colleges (MACJC) Defensive Player of the Week.

            A product of West Point High School, Hill intercepted a pair of Co-Lin passes in the second half of EMCC’s season opener at Sullivan-Windham Field.  His second pick of the game, coming with 3:50 left in the game, all but clinched the Lions’ first victory in a season-opening contest since 2001.  In addition to his 50 yards of interception return yardage against the Wolves, Hill was credited with six total tackles, including one tackle for loss, and two pass breakups. 

            Following four consecutive series losses to Copiah-Lincoln dating back to the 2000 campaign, last week’s 19-point triumph over the Wolves marked East Mississippi’s first gridiron win over Co-Lin since 1993.

            Also earning Region 23/MACJC individual honors during the opening week of the 2008 football season were Coahoma quarterback Marvin Pittman on offense and Pearl River’s Rashod Henry for special teams. 

            Coach Buddy Stephens’ 1-0 EMCC Lions travel to Ellisville this weekend to take on the nationally ranked Bobcats of Jones County Junior College Saturday evening.  Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. at Bobcat Stadium/Sim Cooley Field.  Saturday’s game at Jones County will mark the first of three consecutive road contests for East Mississippi.