WESSON – Two win-hungry teams collide Thursday night in StoneStadium. Co-Lin (2-4, 1-3) hosts the Holmes Community CollegeBulldogs (1-5, 1-3) with kickoff set for 7 p.m.

Holmes, the defending state champion, is fresh from its firstwin of the season, a victory over East Mississippi. Co-Lin alsoplayed Saturday and lost its homecoming game to Hinds, falling 20-0as the Wolves dropped their third straight game.

Co-Lin head coach David Poinsett said Holmes is much better thanthe Bulldogs’ record would indicate. “They are a pretty toughfootball team. They won the state championship last year. Holmeshad a real good game against East Mississippi. Their injuredplayers are finally back with them.”

Coached by Hugh Shurdan, the Bulldogs were 9-2 last year,beating Jones County Junior College in the state title game. Theyhave a veteran offensive line and a talented quarterback intransfer Brett Borden of Campbell, Ala. Only one defensive starterreturned.

“They have a good quarterback and a good running back,” saidPoinsett. Sedric Clay (6-0, 235), a sophomore from Yazoo City, isthe team’s leading rusher with 431 yards and 4 TDs.

Mandell Smith (6-4, 200), a sophomore from Century, Fla., is theBulldogs’ leading receiver with 11 catches for 237 yards.

“We must contain them,” said Poinsett. “They run a lot offormations. We must make them work the whole field.”

On defense, Poinsett said the Bulldogs have two outstandingplayers in defensive end Rubio Phillips (6-2, 240), a sophomore froKosciusko; and linebacker Michael Evans (5-11, 230), a freshmanfrom Madison.

While most of the Co-Lin faculty and students enjoyed a 2-dayFall Break, the Wolves continued practicing, going twice daily onMonday and Tuesday.

“We are working on our stuff and plan on having a solid game,”said Poinsett. “We have got to stop playing bad football. We havegot to stop all those mistakes. Our special teams have beenterrible.”

Poinsett said Tuesday afternoon was the team’s fourth practice.They have practiced in the morning and the afternoon.

“We are both playing on short weeks and we are both tired,” saidPoinsett. “The team that makes the least mistakes will come out ontop. We have to win two of the three phases of the game to insurethe victory.”

Looking at the Hinds loss, Johnathan McLaurin was Co-Lin’sleading rusher with 8 carries for 54 yards. Corey Rhodes rushed 6times for 43 yards. The Wolves finished with 121 yards rushing and88 yards passing, losing 3 fumbles and suffering 2interceptions.

Quarterback Ty Smith started for Co-Lin and completed 4 of 10passes for 48 yards. Brian Hayes saw duty midway through the secondquarter and was 1 of 2 passing for 0 yards. Johnathan Little wentthe entire second half and was 3 of 10 for 40 yards. He wasintercepted twice.

On defense, Howard Overby intercepted a pass for Co-Lin. JuliusRoberson, Lewis Thompson and Tim Dobbins had quarterback sacks.

Wolf Tails: Last year Holmes beat Co-Lin 27-0at Goodman.