WESSON – To say Co-Lin has a score to settle with the SouthwestMississippi Community College Bears is an understatement. Like agrizzly bear invading a campsite, Southwest has overpowered theWolves for three consecutive seasons and taken no prisoners.

The ancient rivalry is renewed Thursday night in Hurst Stadiumat Summit. Kickoff is 7 p.m.

Both teams are off to surprising starts this year. Co-Lin haswon its first three games, equaling last year’s victory total.Southwest, a preseason favorite in the South Division race, haslost three in a row. The Bears were beaten 26-0 by Jones CountyJunior College Saturday night at Ellisville.

Co-Lin first-year head coach Dave Cross said he is familiar withSouthwest’s dominance of the rivalry, having served as defensivecoordinator at Co-Lin for five years. “We haven’t even played themclose in three years. They obviously have a great program. Theywere the preseason pick to be No. 1 in the South.”

Southwest, under the direction of first-year head coach DomGreen, has struggled offensively. He served as Southwest’sdefensive coordinator before replacing Ken Edenfield at the helm.The Bears were South runners-up last year and advanced to the statechampionship game, losing to Hinds.

Cross said Southwest’s record is deceiving. “They just haven’tplayed their best game yet. We are sitting on a powder keg.”

Southwest buried the Wolves 50-7 last season at Wesson. Co-Linwas a 42-7 victim in 1999 and lost 34-7 in 1998. The Wolves werewhipped 30-8 in 1998.

“Our kids are anxious to play them,” said Cross. “They whippedus pretty good last year.”

This is the first South Division game for Co-Lin and the seconddivision game for Southwest. The Bears lost 10-7 to EastMississippi in their season opener and fell to Miss. Delta 21-14two weeks ago.

Cross said Southwest has an exceptional defensive team. “Theyrun the football well. They have just turned the football over agood bit. They’re not a typical 0-3 team.”

The Bears are quarterbacked by Chad Mascoe (6-2, 245, so.) fromKissimmee, Fla. Also calling signals is Steve Erdey (5-11, 200,so.) of Hammond, La.

Calvin Baptiste (5-10, 230) from Amite, La., is an outstandingfreshman running back for Southwest. He has rushed for 197 yardsand 1 TD.

Southwest linebacker Nick Tynes (6-1, 225, so.), from OakForest, La., leads the conference with 25 solo tackles and 14assists. Co-Lin linebacker Ken Bournes is fourth with 20 solos and10 assists.

Veteran Secondary

Co-Lin’s sticky-fingered secondary has been one of the keys tothe team’s early success. Odell Bradley, a sophomore from Utica,has four interceptions this season and leads the conference. AaronPitts, a sophomore from Monticello, has three picks.

“Basically, you have to understand the concept and the otherteam’s offense and know what they do,” said Bradley.

“Southwest is another big game for us,” Bradley admitted. “Weneed to play our best game.”

In an injury-filled campaign, Bradley took over at quarterbackin the fourth quarter of the Southwest game last year and didremarkably well. He quarterbacked the Wolves to a 9-3 homecomingwin over Pearl River which required overtime. He scored the winningTD. He also directed a season-ending win at Jones County JuniorCollege

“Some times I miss it,” said Bradley. He played both ways forHinds AHS.

In the secondary, Co-Lin has a quartet of veterans. Marcus Winnis at strong safety and Sidney Wiley is at free safety, joiningBradley and Pitts.

“We have a feel for each other and that helps a lot,” saidBradley.

Player Of The Week

Co-Lin freshman linebacker Antwan Marsh (6-3, 225), fromPolkton, N.C., was named the MACJC Defensive Player of the Week forhis performance against Delta. He accounted for 12 tackles, 2quarterback sacks and he returned a fumble 52 yards for aTD.

Offensively, Co-Lin sophomore wide receiver Josh Chatman(5-8, 165) of Magee is the second leading scorer in the MACJC with4 touchdowns for 24 points. He has caught 8 passes for 163yards.

Freshman quarterback Willie Johnson of Jacksonville,Fla. leads the MACJC in passing efficiency. He has completed 23 of37 passes for 416 yards and 5 TDs. Against Delta, Johnson passedfor 287 yards and 3 touchdowns.

Sophomore running back Aaron Yarborough of Brookhaven isCo-Lin’s leading rusher. He has 36 carries for 168 yards and 2TDs.

Wolf Tails: Co-Lin hasn’t beaten Southwest since the1996 season when the Wolves prevailed 20-15 at Summit and posted a7-3 record.