WESSON – The Gulf Coast Community College Bulldogs took care ofbusiness Thursday night and whipped the Co-Lin Wolves 28-6 in aSouth Division showdown. The Bulldogs (5-4, 4-2) were hoping tostay in contention for a berth in next month’s state playoffs butSouthwest’s 24-12 win at East Central last night gave the Bears aplayoff spot and kept Gulf Coast out of the picture.

The Bulldogs held a subdued celebration after the game as headcoach Steve Wright complimented his team and his assistant coachesfor a job well done. Wright was in Baltimore, Md., all week, at thebedside of his 11-year-old daughter, Stephanie, who has beenhospitalized with a critical illness at Johns Hopkins MedicalCenter.

Wright flew into Jackson for last night’s game and was in ahurry to depart for a return flight to Baltimore. “To be 5-4 is atribute to our team,” said Wright. “They have had to deal with alot of adversity this season.”

The Bulldogs bowed their heads and recited the Lord’s Prayerafter the game before heading for the dressing room. Wright said heappreciated his team’s performance. Their defense limited Co-Lin tojust 168 yards total offense.

“This is probably the best our defense has played all year,”said Wright. “I think we pretty much out-talented (Co-Lin)tonight.”

Bulldog quarterback Jason Armstead showcased his passing andrunning skills in the first half. Armstead, moved from widereceiver to quarterback before last week’s game against PearlRiver, displayed a strong, accurate passing arm.

Armstead (5-10, 165), a sophomore from Moss Point, completed 9of 18 passes for 129 yards and 2 touchdowns, often scrambling outof the pocket. A sprained shoulder sidelined him in the secondhalf.

Co-Lin had capitalized on a blocked field goal by safety JohnnyRutherford to seize an early lead. Cornerback Aaron Pitts scoopedup the loose football and raced 63 yards for a touchdown and a 6-0advantage.

“I saw our safety come up and block the field goal,” said Pitts.”I knew if I got the ball, I could score.”

Pitts, who intercepted Gulf Coast quarterback Jimmy Peyton inthe third quarter, said the Bulldogs had lots of weapons. “They arefast and very talented. Their quarterback, No. 2 (Armstead’s jerseynumber) is very elusive.”

After Co-Lin’s TD, Armstead quickly gained the Bulldogs a 6-6deadlock. He threw a scoring strike to wide receiver Doug Gabrieland he tip-toed down the sidelines 39 yards when the Wolves misseda tackle.

The Bulldogs capitalized on a turnover early in the secondquarter. Co-Lin punter Justin Spencer had his punt partiallyblocked and Gulf Coast took over at Co-Lin’s 28-yard line. Fourplays later Gabriel took the handoff from Armstead up the middlefrom 1 yard out.

Gabriel circled right end on the 2-point conversion try and theBulldogs led 14-6 with 9:24 left in the first half.

Gulf Coast marched 68-yards to paydirt in 9 plays, just beforehalftime. Armstead hooked up with wide receiver Willie Chestang whomade a diving catch in the end zone. Zach Martin’s PAT kick gaveGulf Coast a 21-6 lead with 16 seconds remaining in the firsthalf.

Good fortune followed the Bulldogs into the fourth quarter. GulfCoast running back Sidney Dumas raced 24 yards to the Co-Lin 1-yardline and fumbled on the tackle. Teammate Jeremy Batisterecovered.

On the next play, Gabriel hit the middle of Co-Lin’s defense andthe ball popped loose, rolling to the back of the end zone where6-foot-6, 350-pound offensive tackle Kareem Marshall recovered fora TD.

Co-Lin coach Phil Broome was disappointed with his team’sperformance but saw a few bright spots. “We played hard on defenseand didn’t quit. Armstead is real good but we hit him prettyhard.

“We had our chances but penalties killed us on offense anddefense.” The Wolves were penalized 11 times for 109 yards.

Co-Lin (2-7, 1-4) concludes its season Thursday night, Nov. 2,at Jones County Junior College in Ellisville.