WESSON – Backup quarterback Darren Andersondrew his first starting assignment Thursday night and directed theCo-Lin Wolfpack to a 21-12 victory against the Northeast CommunityCollege Tigers. Anderson’s 14-yard touchdown pass to De’Vante Scottwith 8:30 left to play secured the season-ending victory.

    Anderson was subbing for fellow freshman quarterback ChandlerRogers who sustained a concussion in last week’s 7-6 win at EastCentral. Rogers complained of headaches the day after the game andCo-Lin coach Glenn Davis followed medical policy, keeping him outof contact for seven days.

    “I had a lot of help from my teammates and it felt great,” saidAnderson (6-1, 180), a Bastrop, La. product used mainly as a widereceiver this season. He completed 11 of 18 passes for 100 yardsand rushed 9 times for 37 yards.

    “We were very focused for this game,” said Anderson. “We wanted tosend our sophomores off on a good note.”

    Co-Lin concludes its campaign with a 5-4 overall record and a 2-4South Division mark, giving the Wolves a fourth straight winningcampaign.

    Northeast (6-3, 4-2), in the running for the North Divisionrunner-up spot, suffered its second straight loss after falling toNorth archrival Itawamba the previous week.

    The Pack finished with 302 yards total offense. They rushed thefootball 50 times for 182 yards. Sophomore Joel Davis rushed 25times for 72 yards and scored the game’s first touchdown on a20-yard sweep in the opening quarter. Nolan Long’s PAT kick putCo-Lin up 7-0 and climaxed a 9-play, 72-yard drive on the Pack’sfirst possession.

    A 40-yard punt return by Northeast’s Deion Belue put the Tigers inscoring position at Co-Lin’s 19.  A screen pass from quarterback J.J.Jennings to Michael Poole, set the stage for a 1-yard touchdownplunge by Jamarcus Goodloe.

    Co-Lin’s Terrell Hartsfield blocked the extra point kick by TaylorEarhart and the Pack held a 7-6 advantage.

    Anderson directed Co-Lin on a 12-play, 59-yard TD drive that waslaunched by De’Vante Scott’s 36-yard kickoff return. A surprisehalfback pass from Milton Griffin to Santarious Pollard was goodfor 20 yards and a score. Co-Lin led 14-6 with 14:54 left in thehalf.

    Co-Lin’s defense, sparked by Dehendret Collins who interceptedJennings twice, limited Northeast to 52 yards total offense in thefirst half and 105 for the game. That performance helped themmaintain their No. 1 ranking in total defense in the MACJC.

    Collins, a sophomore from Meadville, picked off Jennings at theCo-Lin 22 and 48-yard lines.

    “It was all technique, just like the coaches taught me,” answeredCollins, when asked about his two picks. “I caught (ball) at itshighest point and came down with it.”

    Rated as one of the top prospects in the Juco ranks, Collins isconsidering several scholarship offers. “This game helped myrecruiting.”

    Early in the fourth quarter, the Tigers capitalized on a fumble byDavis at Co-Lin’s 7-yard line. On first down, Northeast runningback Ryan Jones raced to the right pylon for a touchdown.

    Electing to try a 2-point conversion, the Jennings pass to TresHouston was out of bounds and it was 14-12 with 12:30 left in thegame.

    The Wolves answered on the next series. Griffin started the marchwith a 30-yard kickoff return. Eight plays later, Anderson connectwith Scott on a screen pass down the left sideline, making it21-12.

    Northeast coach Ricky Smither said he was disappointed by histeam’s performance but he reserved praise for Co-Lin coach GlennDavis and his squad. “Glenn is playing a whole bunch of freshmenthis year. They were better than us tonight.”

    Davis, concluding his eighth campaign as Co-Lin’s head coach, waspleased with his team’s performance. “Offensively, we ran thefootball. Darren did a good job. He made a few plays throwing itand we made a few plays catching it.

    “Defensively, we tackled and played our best the last two games,”Davis noted. “Coach (Larry) Williams did a good job directing ourdefensive game plan.”