After two long-distance road games to open the 2003 campaign,the Co-Lin Wolves find themselves in friendly territory Thursdaynight in Stone Stadium. They host the Mississippi Gulf CoastCommunity College Bulldogs for a South Division test. Kickoff is 7p.m.

In other Thursday games involving South Division teams, PearlRiver (2-0, 0-0) visits East Central (1-1, 0-0) and Jones County2-0, 0-0) visits Coahoma (0-2, 0-0). On Saturday, Southwest (2-0,0-0) is at Hinds (1-1, 0-0).

“We are happy to be playing at home, especially after thosefour-hour bus rides,” said Co-Lin head coach David Poinsett. “Ourkids are excited to be playing in front of their friends and thecommunity.”

Poinsett said he is looking for a large home crowd tomorrownight. “We want to get more support from the community. We havegood fans but we need more of them.”

Co-Lin (1-1, 0-0) and Gulf Coast (1-1, 0-0) are both playingtheir first South Division game of the season. The Wolves are freshfrom a 21-7 victory over Coahoma at Clarksdale. Gulf Coast lost10-6 to East Mississippi last week after the Bulldogs beat Itwamba6-3 in their season opener.

Obviously, the Bulldogs are strong on defense, especially with 8starters returning. They are under the direction of second-yearhead coach Bill Lee. Last year the Bulldogs finished 4-5, losingtheir last two games of the season to Jones County and Pearl River,missing a chance at the playoffs.

“Gulf Coast is a good football team,” said Poinsett. “They arepretty athletic. They have a great recruiting district. They have abig quarterback and good people at skill positions.

“They are seasoned players on defense,” Poinsett added. “Theyhave all played before. They have a few freshmen in thesecondary.”

The Bulldogs rank fourth in total defense (151 yards per game)and last in total offense(147 yards) in the MACJC Region 23statistics report. By comparison, Co-Lin is third in total defense(144 yards) and 11th in total offense (174 yards).

Quarterbacking the Bulldogs are Vernon Jones (6-5, 205, fr.) ofDefuniak Springs, Fla. and Dwain Bannister (6-1, 195, fr.) of NewOrleans.

Poinsett said the Wolves can’t afford critical mistakes againstGulf Coast. “To be successful, we must play fundamentally soundfootball and eliminate mistakes. We must have a very mentallyfocused game.”

Since the Wolves played last Saturday, they have had a shorttime to prepare for the Thursday night encounter. “Being a shortweek, we have to do a lot in a short amount of time,” saidPoinsett. “We have had good practices Sunday and Monday. We arestarting to get our legs back.”

In last Saturday’s game, Co-Lin got a pair of touchdowns fromits defense. Linebacker Tim Dobbins intercepted a Coahoma pass andreturned it 46 yards for a TD. Tackle Dusty Shack scooped up afumble and returned it 23 yards for a score on a muddy, rain-soakedfield.

Freshman quarterback John Little hooked up with wide receiverJohnathan Walker on a 43-yard TD pass. Thomas Garland kicked theextra points.

Poinsett said he won’t decide who starts at quarterback untiljust before the kickoff. He watches pregame warmups and determineswho will be the starter. “It will be either Ty (Smith) or John(Little). Brian (Hayes) will play, too.”

In two games, Little has completed 13 of 20 passes for 115 yardsand 1 TD. Smith has completed 2 of 6 for 28 yards.

Fullback Johnathan Eley is Co-Lin’s top rusher with with 14carries for 61 yards. Joe Matavo, a converted defensive lineman,has 7 rushes for 58 yards. Shermaine Vaughn has rushed 15 times for37 yards.

On defense, sophomore defensive back Rod Conner had intercepted2 passes for Co-Lin. Dobbins has made 19 tackles in 2 games,including 9 solo stops. Freshman Lamoine Robinson has 18 tackles.Freshmen Brandon Williams and sophomore Damien Gary each had 15tackles.

Wolf Tails: Last year the Bulldogs beat Co-Lin16-7 at Perkins ton.