WESSON – Co-Lin right offensive guard Fred Tillman said he islooking forward to a rematch with the Gulf Coast Bulldogs. The twopowerhouses collide Saturday in the Mississippi Association ofCommunity/Junior Colleges state championship football game. Kickoffis 5 p.m. in Stone Stadium.

“We are real excited about playing for the state championship,”said Tillman, a redshirt freshman from Bogue Chitto. “We have tostart fast and finish strong to beat Gulf Coast.”

Tillman and the Wolfpack (9-1) lost a 23-3 decision to Gulf Coast(8-2) Oct. 16, at Perkinston. It was Co-Lin’s first loss and it wasa disappointing performance as the Bulldogs dominated ondefense.

“We didn’t have our heads on right when we played them the firsttime,” Tillman admitted. “Gulf Coast is a pretty good team. Theirdefensive line is pretty good, too.”

Tillman was a Class 1A All-State Team selection coming out of highschool. Co-Lin head coach Glenn Davis and his staff elected toredshirt Tillman.

“I got bigger, stronger and faster last year when I wasredshirted,” Tillman noted. He also learned a lot about what isrequired to play college football.

“No doubt Fred is a valuable asset in our offensive line,” saidDavis. “He has played really well for us. It was in his bestinterest to redshirt him. He’s a first-class guy.”

In last Saturday’s state semifinals, Co-Lin eliminated defendingstate champion East Mississippi 48-21 and Gulf Coast bootedpreviously unbeaten Northwest 52-24.

Davis said his team must execute offensively against a strongBulldog defense. “We must be able to run the ball against theirthree-man front. Their nose guard can tie up two blockers. Theirdefensive ends are tall guys but they rush the passer realwell.”

John Jenkins (6-5, 330, so.) of Meriden, Ct. is GC’s nose guard.The ends are Lloyd Allen (6-4, 240, so.) of Baton Rouge and MarioStovall (6 -1, 245, so.) of Ocean Springs.

“Gulf Coast has a good football team from top to bottom,” saidDavis. “They are well-coached and they play hard. It’s no secret towhy they are on top.”

The Bulldogs rely mainly on a punishing ground attack. Eric Wills(5-10, 175, so.) of Pascagoula and James Gillum (5-11, 190, fr.) ofSlidell, La., are the main movers. Gillum has rushed for over 1,000yards this season.

Davis said Bulldog quarterbacks Clayton Moore (6-2, 220, fr.) ofLouisville and Travonta Thomas (6-1, 180, fr.) of Gautier both havestrong arms. Wide receiver Javon Bell (6-0, 175, fr.) ofJacksonville, Fla., is an All-American candidate.

Co-Lin Starters

Starting in Co-Lin’s offensive backfield are Percy Turner (6-2,200, so.) of Fayette at quarterback and Joel Davis (5-9, 180, fr.)of Natchez and Montrell Conner (6-2, 220, fr.) of Monroe, La., atrunning back.

At wide receiver are Fred Fuller (5-9, 175, so.) of Hazlehurst,Jeffrey Collins (5-10, 175, so.) of Fayette, and Michael Berry(6-2, 205, so.) of Magee. The tight end is Kenjarvis Pickett (5-10,235, fr.) of Crystal Springs.

Starting in the offensive line is Keith Dee (6-0, 285, so.) ofNatchez at center. Fred Tillman (6-1, 285, fr.) is at right guard,Josh Young (6-2, 300, fr.) of Starkville at left guard, Larry Banks(6-4, 325, so.) of Fayette at left tackle and Oscar Johnson (6-6,350, so.) of Crystal Springs at right tackle.

Justin Danise (5-11, 175, fr.) of Ocean Springs is Co-Lin’s punterand kicker. The long snapper is Adam Ogden (6-2, 260, so.) ofBrookhaven.

Wolves On Defense

Starting at defensive tackle for Co-Lin are Roland Dampeer (6-1,245, so.) of Mendenhall and Alan Hunt (6-0, 225, fr.) of Meadville.The ends are Terrance Coleman (6-2, 250, so.) of Mobile, Ala.,Jason Catchings (6-2, 220, so.) of Mendenhall and Joe Mays (6-2,235, so.) of Louise. The nose guard is Bo Tillman (6-6, 275, so.)of Meadville.

At linebacker are Jordan Hunt (6-2, 215, so.) and Tevin Thomas(6-1, 200, fr.) of Meadville and Sterling Thompson (5-10, 185, so.)of Madison. The cornerbacks are Wesley Pendleton (5-10, 175, so.)of Natchez and Pee Wee Cobb (6-1, 185, fr.) of Auburn, Ala.

Working at safety are Dehendret Collins (5-11, 175, fr.) ofMeadville and Calvin Jones (5-10, 175, fr.) of Petal.