No. 7 Gulf Coast travels to Co-Lin

No. 7 Mississippi Gulf Coast will be using its diversified offense to try to avenge a loss last year.

The Bulldogs, who clinched the MACJC South Division last week, can close out a perfect division record Thursday night at Wesson with a win against former No. 1 Copiah-Lincoln.

"Midseason they got banged up a little bit, lost some guys," Gulf Coast coach Chad Huff said. "I think they have taken a few hits but not enough to slow 'em down a whole lot."

Gulf Coast will be looking for revenge after losing 29-26 to Co-Lin at homecoming last year. The Bulldogs have won 10 of the last 13 meetings and lead the series 50-29-2.

The game will be broadcast on SuperTalk 103.1 FM. There will be a video stream at colinathletics.com. Kickoff is at 7 p.m.

Gulf Coast features the most accurate passer in the state, with A.J. Erdely completing 66.3 percent of his passes. Wide receiver Ishmel Morrow ranks first in the MACJC with 38 receptions, but last week Erdely completed passes to six different receivers.

Six different running backs and receivers ran the ball in the 41-10 thrashing of archrival Pearl River, five of them gaining more than 20 yards. Chris Robinson led the way with three touchdowns and 57 yards in a balanced attack.

"It's a good balance," Huff said. "All of them are a little bit different, so we can do different things."

Co-Lin defeated then-No. 1 East Mississippi in the second week of the season and spent four weeks atop the NJCAA rankings. But back-to-back losses to Pearl River and Hinds have knocked the Wolfpack down the Top 20.

No. 14 Co-Lin has battled the turnover bug in both losses, while Gulf Coast hasn't turned the ball over the last two games.

The Wolfpack defense features defensive lineman Paul James III, an Illinois transfer whose 10 sacks rank fourth in the nation. He's joined up front by Joe Anderson and Tre' Brown to provide a formidable front. The group is not as a big as last week's challenge presented by Jones, but they are faster.

"It's a big challenge for us offensively up front, trying to protect the quarterback and control the line of scrimmage," said Huff.

Sophomore defensive back Lashard Durr, a Mississippi State commit, anchors the secondary. He has 24 tackles, a sack and a fumble recovery and has broken up 11 passes.

Gulf Coast's defense got a stout performance from defensive end Isaiah Buggs, who had four tackles, a sack, two tackles for loss and seven quarterback hurries.

The Bulldogs have allowed a mere 376 yards in the last two games, following their blueprint of stopping the run and attack the quarterback.

"They can throw it and run it," Huff said. "They're going to mix it in. They're going to be physical up front and run the football."

GAME #8

No. 7 MGCCC (6-1, 5-0 MACJC South) vs. No. 14 Copiah-Lincoln (5-2, 2-2 MACJC South)

WHEN: Thursday, Oct. 15, 7 p.m.

WHERE: H.L Stone Stadium, Wesson

ONLINE: Watch at colinathletics.com

RADIO: SuperTalk 103.1 FM

THE SERIES 

·     Gulf Coast 50-29-2

·     First Meeting: 1928

·     Last Meeting (2014):  Co-Lin 29, MGCCC 26