WESSON – Coach Dave Cross and his Copiah-Lincoln CommunityCollege coaching staff welcome out-of-state football playerstonight as preseason practice approaches. The rest of the Co-Linplayers report Thursday morning. The squad will meet at noontomorrow.

“We will have three days (of practice) and then we’re inschool,” said Cross. School starts Monday at Co-Lin so the Wolveswill only have three days of two-a-day practice sessions beforestarting classroom work.

The Wolves will practice at 8:15 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. The level ofheat and humidity in the afternoon might delay the start ofpractice.

Under the new format installed by the Mississippi Association ofCommunity/Junior Colleges, the regular-season schedule has beenreduced by one game for the 2001 campaign. This move will allow twoteams out of the North and South Divisions to advance to the stateplayoffs and allow the state champion and possibly the runner-up toremain eligible for a postseason bowl game, according to NationalJunior College Athletic Association rules.

Cross said equipment would be distributed Thursday afternoon.The players will take physical examinations tomorrow night at 6p.m. They also will be tested for strength and speed.

Recent heat-related deaths have made coaches more aware of thephysical stress players face during the hot and humid days ofAugust. “We want to make sure we give the players breaks and givethem plenty of water,” said Cross.

“When you get too hot, your system starts shutting down andthat’s very dangerous.”

Cross said he expected 70 players to report for practice. Thatnumber must be reduced to 55 for the season which begins Thursday,Sept. 6, when Co-Lin hosts Itawamba. Kickoff is 7 p.m., in StoneStadium.

Cross, defensive coordinator at Co-Lin for five years, replacedPhil Broome at the helm last December. Working with cross this yearare assistant coaches David Armstrong, Calvin Green, CharlesSutton, and new offensive line coach Dave Poinsett.

At Southwest Mississippi Community College in Summit, new headcoach Dom Green begins leading the Bears through preseason drillson Thursday. He expects around 80 players to report.

Southwest will practice once Thursday and three times on Fridayand Saturday, starting at 8:30 a.m., 2 p.m. and 6 p.m.

Green served as Southwest’s offensive line coach beforereplacing Ken Edenfield at the helm. The Bears debut Sept. 6,hosting East Mississippi.