Gulf Coast wins shootout at Southwest

SUMMIT – Pressed into starting duties, Mississippi Gulf Coast backup quarterback Larry Sisson completed his first 12 passes to start the Bulldogs' 47-35 victory at Southwest.

He finished 23-for-34 for 261 yards, two touchdowns and one interception Gulf Coast piled up 578 yards of total offense.

"It felt awesome," Sisson said. "I'm glad I finally go the opportunity to show what I've got. I'm glad the team had my back. It was a great win."

Gulf Coast (4-3, 3-1 MACJC South) moved into a tie with East Central at the top of the division standings. The Warriors entertain Hinds on Saturday, and a loss would move Gulf Coast into first.

Southwest falls to 2-5 overall, 1-3 in the South.

The Bulldogs ran for 317 yards behind 151 yards from T'Rod Daniels (5-9, 190, So., Bassfield/Bassfield) and another 104 from Ge'Vonte Jones (5-11, 175, So., Charleston/Charleston). Daniels had two touchdowns rushing and another receiving, and Quentin Frazier (6-0, 210, Fr., Hernando/Hernando) added another on the ground.

Daniels also had five catches for 82 yards. Lester Wells (6-0, 180, So., Adams County Christian/Natchez) had eight receptions for 77 yards, and Brandon Martin (6-4, 217, Fr., Prime Prep Academy/New Orleans) had six for 75.

Both teams had 21 first-quarter points, with Southwest gashing the Bulldogs defense with touchdowns of 44, 71 and 80 yards. Sisson (6-0, 210, So., Resurrection/Pascagoula) was completing his first 12 passes during that stretch.

"We had certain plays where we picked out certain people and read them," he said. "The receivers made great catches and then the guys in the perimeter blocked for them and they got a bunch of yards after the catch."

Gulf Coast didn't take its first lead until the first of four field goals by Joshua Rowland (5-10, 190, So., Madison Central/Madison) made it 24-21.

"It was incredible," he said. "I got off to a slow start this season, 1-for-3, but it was nice to get a lot of chances tonight and knock them through. I'm glad the coaches still have confidence in me."

Two plays later, Southwest scored on a 73-yard touchdown pass to retake the lead, but Sisson's second touchdown pass, a 21-yard to Martin, gave Gulf Coast a 31-28 lead. They would never relinquish it.

Rowland kicked his second straight 44-yarder with 1 second left in the half after a nine-play drive, all in the final minute. He added a 22-yard field goal on the first drive of the second half, then a 42-yarder with 1:24 left in the third to make it 40-28.

"He's solid," Huff said. "I believe in him and have all the confidence in the world in him."

Southwest would convert a short field following the only turnover of the game to cut the deficit to 40-35. It was the only Bears score of the half after a rough first 30 minutes.

"We just needed to settle down. The guys were trying to do too much instead of just doing their jobs," Huff said. "It's just fundamental football. We made some adjustments and were able to put them in better situations to read their keys and keep everything in front of them."

Gulf Coast turned to its running game to grind out the final 13 minutes.

The Bulldogs ran 10 straight times on a 66-yard drive that ended with Daniels' 17-yard touchdown run.

After the defense forced a turnover on downs, Sisson handed the ball off seven more time before taking a knee to finish running out the final 4:34.

Huff and Sisson credited the offensive line for dominating the final 15 minutes.

"They did a fantastic job," Sisson said. "They did a great job the whole game. Pass protection, run blocking, they were awesome. We only gave up one sack, and that was my fault, it wasn't theirs."

Gulf Coast has a long week to prepare for its homecoming matchup against archrival Pearl River on Oct. 22 at newly renovated A.L. May Memorial Stadium.

For more information on MGCCC's 10 intercollegiate athletic teams, follow @MGCCCAthletics on Twitter and BulldogLIVE on Facebook, and go to mgcccbulldogs.com.