#10 MGCCC gets back to basics in 61-7 rout of Northeast

Philip Dixon/MGCCC

MGCCC'S Quentin Wheeler (left) and Antwon Wells celebrate a touchdown in a 61-7 win over Northeast Sept. 27.

PERKINSTON---The winning formula for Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College is simple…run the football, stop the run, and create turnovers.

Against Northeast, the Bulldogs ran for 404 yards, held the Tigers to 185 yards of offense andforced five turnovers in a 61-7 blowout which also extended the team's home winning streak to 17 in a row.

"We went back to basics this week," said Gulf Coast head coach Steve Campbell. "We simplified our game plan and it worked well tonight."

The win also upped the Bulldogs' record to 4-1 and took some of the sting out of a 35-28 loss to Jones five days earlier.

"We told the guys this week that life is not about what the score is, but how you bounce backfrom being knocked down," Campbell added. "They responded with a strong effort against a solid football team."

Gulf Coast running backs Anton Thornton (15 carries, 102 yards) and JoJo Snell (11 carries, 137 yards, 1 TD) both cracked the 100-yard rushing mark while quarterback ClintHatten threw four touchdown passes…three to Dhaquille Williams and one to D'Adrian Terry as the Bulldogs built a 26-0 lead at halftime.

Unlike in past games, there was no second half lull as Gulf Coast put up five more scores including a 48-yard interception return by freshman Trey Wafford and the first touchdown pass from back up quarterback Quentin Wheeler.

Northeast (1-4) got its lone touchdown in the third quarter on a 2-yard run by quarterback MattLipham.

Since Campbell and his coaching staff came to Gulf Coast in 2004, the Bulldogs have never lostback-to-back regular season games.

"The best thing to do after a loss is get right back to work," Campbell said. "You have to have a short memory in this game."

Gulf Coast puts its 17-game home winning streak on the line Thursday, Oct. 3 when archrival Pearl River (2-3, 1-1) comes to town in the 90th meeting between the two colleges. Fans can watch all the action via streaming video at www.mgcccbulldogs.com or listen on 103.1 FM WOSM. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. at A.L. May Memorial Stadium.