SCOOBA — Former Pearl River Community College assistant football coach Buddy Stephens led his East Mississippi Lions to the junior college national championship last season.

Now Stephens, who also played for the Wildcats, is allowing players to learn from the success that East Mississippi has enjoyed on the gridiron. Several former Picayune players are part of the Lions’ program as well.

East Mississippi Community College’s highly acclaimed annual summer football camps are scheduled for this month on the Scooba campus.

“It’s a blue-collar camp with great instruction. EMCC has great facilities from the fields to the dorms. It’s a great place to stay and improve as a team.” West Point head coach Chris Chambless said.

Having claimed two NJCAA National Championships over the past three seasons, the EMCC Lions will first conduct a 7 on 7 Passing Camp on Wednesday, June 18. At a cost of $20 per player, which includes lunch and a T-shirt, registration is set to take place between 9-9:30 a.m. Tournament action is slated to get underway at 10 a.m.

“EMCC runs a first-class camp and it’s one of the best I go to every year. The kids enjoy it and learn a lot. They want to come back every year. The coaches really do a great job as well.” said Tyrone Shorter, Noxubee County High School head football coach.

East Mississippi is also scheduled to hold a three-day Lineman Camp, June 24-26, for student-athletes entering grades 9-12. Fees for the Lions’ Lineman Camp are $200 per overnight camper and $150 per day camper.

“It’s the hardest working camp we have ever been to. The kids love it and they leave with better levels of understanding and confidence.” saidd Tim Blackwell, Wayne County High School offensive line coach.

For more information on East Mississippi Community College’s 7 on 7 Passing Camp and Lineman Camp, please contact EMCC assistant football coaches Marcus Wood (mwood@eastms.edu) and Clifton Collins (ccollins@eastms.edu) via e-mail in advance of the camp dates.

Interested campers are encouraged to check out EMCC’s athletics website at www.EMCCAthletics.com for additional information, including camp application forms (http://www.emccathletics.com/sports/fball/Camp_Info) to download and complete to assist with the registration process.