Defense helps Co-Lin make best of injury-filled 3-7 season

Published 6:00 am Friday, November 10, 2000

WESSON – Co-Lin’s football team had enough injured players tofill several rooms at Kings Daughters Hospital. The Wolves werebeset with injuries before the season began and misfortune followedthem to the final game last week at Jones County JuniorCollege.

To their credit, the Wolves overcame adversity and managed threevictories in 10 games. Led by a stalwart defense, they posted winsover East Mississippi, Pearl River and Jones County, finishing 3-7overall and 2-4 in the South Division.

Co-Lin head coach Phil Broome said his sixth year at the helmwas unusual. He has a 30-30 record at Co-Lin.

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“Everything that could go wrong, did go wrong,” said Broome.”Injuries compounded from week to week.”

Co-Lin’s offensive line suffered severe losses due to injuries.Guard Terrell Showers (ankle) was projected as a stater but wasinjured before the season began.

Offensive tackle Chris Thigpen (knee) missed two weeks andplayed injured the rest of the year. Thigpen also broke a bone inhis right hand before the first game.

Sophomore Willie Quarles, right guard, (knee) was out for mostof the season. Tackle Brad Lyles broke his ankle before the JonesCounty game.

Broome said, “We felt like we should have beaten Delta (a 9-3loss) and we had a chance against East Central,” losing 25-15.

“When Denard got hurt, it just went down from there,” saidBroome. Parks was injured in the second game of the season againstItawamba. A fourth-quarter knee injury (ACL) sidelined him for therest of the season.

“When you get down to your fourth quarterback, you are limitedto what you can do,” said Broome.

Quarterback became the focal point in Co-Lin’s sputteringoffense. Second string quarterback Randall Montgomery quit theteam. Third stringer Corey Chase, moved from wide receiver, wassuspended for two games because he violated team rules.

Freshman wide receiver Odell Bradley was moved to quarterbackand produced some remarkable heroics. He ran 24 yards for thewinning touchdown as Co-Lin beat Pearl River 9-3 in overtime toclaim a homecoming victory.

In the season finale, Bradley rose to the occasion again. Thistime he helped the Wolves pull out a 21-20 win over Jones County.He completed 7 of 15 passes for 123 yards and 1 TD.

On the bright side, Parks plans to take a medical redshirt andcome back for the 2001 season. He was an all-state South Divisionselection as a freshman in 1999.

Co-Lin’s offense was sparked by sophomore tailback Andrew Burkswho rushed for 137 times for 583 yards and 2 TDs. Freshman tailbackDarius Bingham had 239 rushing yards on 50 carries. Freshmanfullbacks Aaron Yarborough (55/189) and Lorenzo Townsend (26/53)never realized their potential as they ran behind a patched upline.

Bradley led the team in receiving with 17 catches for 203 yards.Novack Traxler caught 11 passes for 174 yards. Barry White (8/102),Townsend (7/102) and Marcus Shannon (6/76) were other topreceivers.

Defense Leads Co-Lin

“Our defense played hard and played well,” said Broome.”That makes a difference.”

Linebacker Kamau Jackson led the team in tackles despitea partially torn knee ligament. He finished with 123 tackles,including 87 solo stops.

Jackson, a sophomore from Atlanta, Ga., was able tocomplete the season, despite the injury. “Kamau just told us towrap the knee and he would keep playing,” said Broome. Jacksonunderwent knee surgery Thursday.

His courage has been rewarded. Jackson was selected MostValuable Linebacker in the South Division by division headcoaches.

Jackson is headed for Mississippi State and safetyJohnny Rutherford is too.

Marcus Winn followed Jackson with 103 tackles.Rutherford had 92 tackles, Ken Bournes 86 and Aaron Pitts 52. Pittsaccounted for 4 interceptions and Corey Murray had 3.

Defensive lineman James Smith had 48 tackles thisseason, followed b Keeshan Lowe with 47 stops and Ricky Funchesswith 44.

Co-Lin’s kicking game held up well under thecircumstances. Sophomore punter Justin Spencer averaged 35.2 yardsper punt on 62 attempts.

“Justin Spencer killed it against Jones County,” saidBroome. He punted 7 times for a 42.4-yard average.

Matt Powers hit 4 of 10 field goals and his longest was40 yards. He made 8 of 11 extra points and took care ofkickoffs.

“I’m optimistic about next season,” said Broome. “I lookfor the good in all of it. We want to build on the positives andstay focused.”