WESSON — Defensive end Ryland Wilson and his Copiah-LincolnCommunity College Wolfpack know they have work cut out for them.They host an explosive Gulf Coast football team for Saturday’shomecoming. Kickoff is 2:30 in Stone Stadium.

Ryland Wilson, (6-5, 250, soph.) from Toano, Va., was selectedthe MACJC’s Defensive Player of the Week for the opening week ofthe 2005 campaign. He was credited with 11 tackles. He also hadthree sacks.

The 2005 season has been shortened by two games due to HurricaneKatrina. .

In Co-Lin’s season-opening 16-6 upset of nationally-rankedNorthwest at Senatobia, the Wolfpack capitalized on opportunitiesas the Rangers made 3 critical turnovers. Co-Lin was ranked No. 20in the latest NJCAA national poll

Co-Lin head coach Glenn Davis said he appreciated Wilson’scontributions on and off the field. “Ryland is a steady guy whonever says a whole lot. He’s always where he’s supposed to be. He’sa quiet leader.”

Davis aid Wilson is getting a lot of attention from seniorcolleges. He was heavily recruited by Marshall University duringhis high school career at Lafayette High School.

Co-Lin defensive coordinator Brett Shufelt said Wilson hasdisplayed great athletic ability and agility on defense. Shufeltrecalled a quarterback option play Northwest tried to run againstCo-Lin.

“On one play Northwest came out in an option,” recalled Shufelt.”Ryland took the dive and the quarterback, and he stripped theball.”

Shufelt said Wilson “is a great pass rusher for us. He’ll be aDecember graduate. He’s worked hard in the classroom, too. He’s agreat leader. He has incredible agility for a guy his size.”

Gulf Coast Talented

Looking at Gulf Coast, Davis said his Wolves will face adifficult challenge. The Bulldogs overwhelmed Jones County JuniorCollege 44-7 in their opener last Thursday.

“Gulf Coast is explosive on offense,” said Davis. “They had 74plays in the first half against Jones. They also had 700 totalyards in the game.

“We will have our hands full on defense,” Davis continued.”Hopefully, we can slow them down and keep them off the field.”

Quarterbacking the Bulldogs is veteran Eric Walden (6-2, 190,soph.) of Thomasville, Ga. He completed 14 of 21 passes for 240yards and 2 touchdowns against Jones.

Gulf Coast’s leading rusher is Walden who gained 184 yards andscored 2 TDs. Dantrell Savage (5-9, 195, soph.) of Wiggins (StoneCounty) rushed for 145 yards and a TD last week.

“Their quarterbacks and running backs are very athletic,” saidDavis. “They can score from anywhere on the field.”

Wide receivers Tony Burks (6-4, 215, soph.) of Gulfport(Harrison Central) and Coeric Riley (6-2, 200, fr.) of Lucedale(George County) both signed with Ole Miss.

Two defensive linemen originally signed SEC scholarships. DeonGales (6-6, 275, fr.) from New Orleans signed with Ole Miss twoyears ago. Sean Merrill (6-3, 290, soph.) of D’Iberville signedwith LSU.

“Defensively, they are much improved,” said Davis. “They havebetter players than what they had last year.”

Gulf Coast is under the direction of former Southwest Miss. CCand Delta State University head coach Ken Edenfield. He coached theStatesmen to a national championship 5 years ago.

Co-Lin Offensive

The Wolves showed much improvement on offense against Northwest.Freshman quarterback Cedric Johnson (5-10, 166, fr.) of Americus,Ga., 1 of 23 passes for 117 yards and 1 TD. He rushed for 61yards.

Co-Lin tailback Rayshaun Robinson (6-0, 180, fr.) of Americusrushed for 98 yards on on 23 carries.

“We ran the football fairly well,” said Davis. “Cedric Johnsonplayed pretty well. He didn’t make any bad decisions.”

Wolf Tails: Last year Gulf Coast eluded theWolfpack 38-35,