WESSON — Powerful! Pearl River Community College’s passingattack has been compared to either a hurricane or a tornado. The2-0 Wildcats are averaging 42 points per game.

Co-Lin (1-1) is the next hurdle. The defending state championWildcats invade Stone Stadium Saturday for a 1 p.m. kickoff. TheSouth Division contest was postponed from Thursday night because ofHurricane Ivan.

First-year Co-Lin head coach Glenn Davis appreciated the extratwo days of preparation for Pearl River. “We need as much time aspossible this week to overcome our mistakes,” in last Thursday’s45-14 loss to Northeast at Booneville. “Hopefully, we can gethealthier, too.”

The Wildcats, under the direction of Tim Hatten, are ranked No.4 in the nation. They whipped Itawamba 43-26 in the season openerand smashed East Mississippi 40-0 last week.

“We’re approaching this game like any other one,” said Hatten.”This is our first division game. Co-Lin is just the first steptowards us repeating as champs and we can’t afford to look pastthem.”

Pearl River’s passing game can’t be overlooked. The Wildcatshave a preseason All-American wide receiver in Larry Brackins (6-5,220) of Dothan, Ala. Brackins had a 73-yard punt return for a TD asthe Wildcats took a 33-0 halftime lead over EMCC. Brackins hascaught 5 passes for 160 yards this season.

Co-Lin defensive coordinator Brett Shufelt said the Wildcats arefun to watch unless you are on the opposing team. “I don’t thinkanyone has slowed them down yet.

“Brackins is really good,” he added. “We want to slow Brackinsdown. I don’t think you can really stop him. He’ll just run downthe field, jump and catch the ball and run for the touchdown.”

Brackins is among several talented receivers on the Pearl Riverroster. The Wildcats run four wides most of the time.

Quarterbacking the Wildcats is redshirt freshman Jimmy Oliver ofEast Marion. Oliver has completed 37 of 51 passes for 712 yards and9 touchdowns this season.

“Their quarterback is making good decisions for a freshman,”said Shufelt. “He doesn’t make many turnovers. He can scramble realwell.

Pearl River, like Northeast, works out of the shotgun formation.”Everything is shotgun. They get in a traditional set on shortyardage situations,” said Shufelt.

Mike McClendon is PRCC’s main running back.

In the loss to Northeast, the Wolves were minus standoutdefensive end Shadler Manning due to an ankle injury. Manning brokea bone in his foot late in the Holmes game and will miss theremainder of the season.

Shufelt said the Wolves are capable of playing much better ondefense. Northeast quarterback Michael Edmiston shredded theWolfpack for 232 passing yards and 5 touchdowns. He completed 24 of31 passes.

“We didn’t play up to our potential last week,” said Shufelt.”It was hard for us to accept.”

Co-Lin changed quarterbacks in the second quarter, switchingfrom Beau Billeck to a more mobile Victor Williams, who directedthe Wolves on a 9-play, 59-yard scoring drive. Tailback JuliusRoberson scored on a 14-yard run with 7:48 left to cut the Tigers’lead to 20-6.

The Wolfpack scored in the third quarter on a 10-yard pass fromBilleck to Daryl Johnson. Billeck’s 2-point conversion pass to LeonStewart cut the Tigers’ lead to 26-14.

Wolf Tails: Pearl River smashed the Wolves52-13 last year as the Wildcats amassed 404 yards total offense.Co-Lin was limited to 120 yards in the 69th meeting between the tworivals.