WESSON – Co-Lin’s defense has a tough assignment Saturdayafternoon in Decatur. The Wolves must try to slow down EastCentral’s Warriors, the No. 1 rushing team in the MississippiAssociation of Community/Junior Colleges.

WESSON – Co-Lin’s defense has a tough assignment Saturdayafternoon in Decatur. The Wolves must try to slow down EastCentral’s Warriors, the No. 1 rushing team in the MississippiAssociation of Community/Junior Colleges.

It’s a 2:30 homecoming kickoff game in Decatur. East Centralstands at 4-2 overall and 0-1 in the South Division. Co-Lin (1-5,0-1) is fresh from a lopsided 50-7 loss to archrival Southwest.

“East Central has a lot of good players,” said Broome. “They aresolid on both sides of the ball.”

Co-Lin has been weakened by a plague of injuries and defections.The latest absentee is starting quarterback Corey Chase who injuredhis shoulder in last week’s loss to Southwest. Chase won’t playSaturday but it won’t be due to the injury.

“Corey Chase has been suspended for disciplinary reasons,” saidBroome. “He broke some team rules.”

The Wolves lost all-state quarterback Denard Parks to a torn ACLin the second game of the season. Backup Randall Montgomery quitthe team and Chase was elevated to starting status after playingwide receiver.

Odell Bradley, a freshman wide receiver from Hermanville, willdraw the starting assignment at quarterback against East Central.Jeff Hobbs, a freshman wide receiver from Mendenhall, will back himup.

“It’s amazing,” said Broome. “I’ve never gone through aquarterback situation like this.”

On defense, sophomore linebacker Kamau Jackson is playing on apartially torn ACL. “He’s a tough player and a good kid,” saidBroome.

Jackson is among the leading tacklers on the team. AgainstSouthwest, freshman defensive back Marcus Winn led the Wolves with9 solo tackles and 4 assists. Linebacker Ken Bournes also had 13tackles. Safety Johnny Rutherford had 8 tackles.

Warriors Plot Ambush

Coach Terry Underwood’s Warriors got their season off toa 3-0 start. “Then we went to Gulf Coast and played a tough,emotional game and lost 47-41 in double overtime,” saidUnderwood.

The Warriors had a letdown after the South Divisiondefeat and were ambushed 18-10 at Holmes in Goodman last week. Theytrailed 18-0 at halftime.

East Central’s starting quarterback is Mitchell McKinnon(6-3, 180) a sophomore from Palatka, Fla. “He has played extremelywell for us,” said Underwood.

McKinnon has completed 35 of 60 passes for 618 yards and7 touchdowns. He has thrown 6 interceptions. He has rushed for 334yards.

McKinnon’s favorite receiver is freshman wideout DontaySpillman (6-2, 193) of Louisville, Ky. Spillman has caught 15passes for 365 yards and 7 TDs.

East Central’s leading rusher is Terrence Wansley (6-0,190), sophomore from Decatur. Wansley, a slashing type runner, runswell between the tackles. He has gained 444 yards thisseason.

The Warriors have two exceptional leaders on defense.Freshman linebacker John Bibb (5-10, 210) leads the league intackles with 47 solo stops and 13 assists. Bibb is from Tuscaloosa,Ala.

Quentin Bowens (6-2, 255) a defensive lineman fromKillen, Ala., is one of the leading tacklers in the league. Bowenshad 38 solo stops.

“I think Co-Lin is a lot better football team than theirrecord indicates,” said Underwood. “They have a tremendous amountof talent, in my opinion.

“Their defensive front seven are as good as anybodywe’ve played,” Underwood noted. “They are big and they run to theball.”

Underwood said he was impressed by Co-Lin sophomoretailback Andrew Burks of Hazlehurst. Burks has rushed for 379 yardsand 2 touchdowns.

“Their tailback is probably the best we’ve faced. He hasgreat feet, good vision and great quickness.”

According to Underwood, “Co-Lin still hasn’t puteverything together yet. They have had some things go against them.They are hungry for a win.”

There’s a Co-Lin connection at East Central. FormerCo-Lin team member Tommy Clopton coaches wide receivers and tightends for East Central. “That makes the game more intriguing,” saidUnderwood. “He went to Co-Lin and his father (Rickey) still coachesthere.”

Wolf Tails: East Central beat Co-Lin 26-7 last year atDecatur. Co-Lin beat the Warriors 20-14 in 1988.