GAMEDAY: #5 Co-Lin vs. #7 MGCCC

GAME #8

#5 CO-LIN (6-1, 3-1) vs #7 MGCCC (6-1, 3-1)

Saturday, Oct. 19, 2013

2 p.m., A.L. May Memorial Stadium, Perkinston

MGCCC HOMECOMING 2013

MGCCC draws tough Homecoming opponent in Co-Lin

  For the fourth time since 2006, Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College will line up against MACJC South Division rival Co-Lin on Homecoming. The Bulldogs won the past three Homecoming battles with the Wolves, but in 2013 the stakes are much higher as a playoff spot goes to the winner of Saturday's game. In 2010 Gulf Coast defeated Co-Lin 23-3 to clinch a playoff spot. The two teams went on to play in the MACJC Title Game that was won by Gulf Coast 31-17.

  This week Bulldog sophomores are all too familiar with the most recent trip the Wolves made to Perkinston, which was last year's MACJC Championship contest. In that battle, Co-Lin upset Gulf Coast 41-37 and abruptly ended the Bulldogs' season.

   In 2013 the Wolves and Bulldogs enter this week's game with identical 6-1 & 3-1 records, with both teams losing to Jones. The Wolves feature the MACJC'S #3 ranked offense and the league's #5 ranked defense. The Wolves offense revolves around quarterback Daniel Fitzwater, a 6-6 freshman from Shreveport, LA who's thrown for 1,968 yards and 16 touchdowns against only four interceptions. Is favorite target is sophomore wide receiver Casey Gladney (37 catches, 659 yards, 7 TD'S), who's 70-yard punt return in last year's Championship Game sparked a 28 point fourth quarter by the Wolves. Running backs Kelton Smith (429 yards, 7 TD'S) and Van Lee (346 yards, 4 TD'S) pace the Co-Lin rushing attack. On defense the Wolves have intercepted 12 passes and recovered seven fumbles.

   Gulf Coast enters the game with the MACJC'S number one rushing attack, averaging 319 yards on the ground per game. In last week's 48-7 win over Southwest, the Bulldogs ran for 468 yards, 92 of those coming from MACJC rushing leader Antwon Wells. Running backs Justin Brister and Rod Williams will also be called on the carry the ball for Gulf Coast. Quarterback Terrian Page (46/86, 624 yards, 3 TD'S 1 INT) will have NJCAA All-American wide receiver Dhaquille Williams (30 catches, 435 yards, 6 TD'S) to throw to along with freshman wideout Ishmel Morrow ((24 catches, 308 yards, 2 TD'S). The Bulldog defense has created 17 turnovers in 2013 and scored four touchdowns while kicker Tristan Reynolds is the reigning MACJC Special Teams Player of the Week after booted two field goals and going 6-for-6 on extra points against Southwest.

THE SERIES

·      MGCCC Leads All-Time Series 47-27-2

·      First Meeting: 1929

·      Last Meeting (2012/MACJC Title Game):  Co-Lin 41, MGCCC 37