Gulf Coast comes in at No. 4 in preseason poll
PERKINSTON — Mississippi Gulf Coast is ranked fourth in the NJCAA preseason football poll, extending its streak of appearances to 142 straight weeks.
Only one other school has a similar streak (Butler). Gulf Coast's streak dates back more than a decade, to Sept. 27, 2005. This is the 47th week the Bulldogs have been in the top five, including eight weeks at No. 1. Gulf Coast is 95-23 in that time.
"It's speaks volumes about the program as a whole," Bulldogs coach Chad Huff said. "The consistency means we're striving to be our best every single day. But that's in the past. We have to continue to focus on the future."
Gulf Coast is one of five MACJC teams in the top 20 joining No. 1 East Mississippi, No. 7 Copiah-Lincoln, No. 10 Northwest and No. 19 Hinds. Three of those teams will visit Perkinston.
The Bulldogs entertain the top-ranked team on Sept. 8 in the home opener at newly renovated A.L. May Memorial Stadium. Co-Lin visits the following week, and Hinds heads south on Oct. 6.
"We say it every year, but it's not where you start, it's where you end," Huff said. "This team is 0-0. It's based on a lot of achievements from last year, and those sophomores have moved on. Our freshmen have to step up this year."
The season kicks off Sept. 1 with a trip to Itawamba.
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