#8 MGCCC bears down on Southwest 48-7
PERKINSTON---Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College did just about everything in a 48-7 victory over Southwest Thursday, but head coach Steve Campbell still thinks there's work to be done if the Bulldogs want to make a Championship run in 2013.
"We haven't peaked yet," said Campbell, who's now 8-2 all time against Southwest. "There's still some meat left on the bone. I'm pleased to win 48-7 against anybody in this league, but we still have not played a full, four-quarter football game. That was our goal tonight, and I think we got a little closer."
What Gulf Coast (6-1, 3-1) did do is rush for 465 yards, score 24 second quarter points to blow the game open and lead 31-0 at halftime, and create five turnovers on defense. Freshman running back Rod Williams also made history with a team record 98-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter. Williams rushed for 126 yards and two scores while sophomore back and MACJC leading rusher Antwon Wells ran for 89 yards and three TD'S. Those three scores put Gulf Coast up 21-0 midway through the second quarter. One touchdown was set up by a fumble recovery by Phalen Booker inside the Southwest 10. Booker then scooped up another fumble and went 65 yards to set up the third TD by Wells. The Bulldogs also had a pass interception by Justin Evans and two fumble recoveries on kickoffs.
Kicker Tristan Reynolds booted two field goals, including a season long 45-yarder, and quarterback Terrian Page threw his third TD pass of the year, a 6-yard strike to tight end Marlon Pope which made it 28-0 Bulldogs in the second quarter.
Southwest (2-5, 1-3) got a 20-yard touchdown run from Chris Jones in the third quarter to avoid the shutout. The Bears have now lost seven straight to Gulf Coast dating back to 2006. The Bulldogs generated 537 yards of offense despite missing NJCAA All-American Dhaquille Williams, who was suspended from action after being ejected from the Oct. 3 game at Pearl River.
(Above Photo): This 45-yard run by MGCCC QB Terrian page set up a TD vs. Southwest Oct. 10.
The victory sets up an MACJC South Division showdown Saturday Oct. 19 against Co-Lin. With Thursday's loss by Jones (24-20 vs. Hinds), the Gulf Coast-Co-Lin game has huge post-season implications.
"All the goals we set back in July during conditioning drills are still out there," Campbell added. "We have to take care of business on the field."
