WESSON – Jones County Junior College is advancing to the statefootball playoffs as the South Division champion while the Co-LinWolves are staying home. The two teams collide Thursday night inStone Stadium in the regular season finale. Kickoff is 7 p.m.

Jones County (7-1, 5-0), under the direction of head coachParker Dykes, finished 3-7 last year. The turnaround has been apleasant surprise for the Bobcats. Although his team is headed forthe state playoffs, Dykes said they can’t afford to overlookCo-Lin.

“Co-Lin is big and good,” said Coach Dykes. “They arewell-coached and they have some great athletes. They have had agood season.

“I hope we play well against them,” said Dykes. “We are awfullysmall and they’re mighty big. Co-Lin will be out to whip us and wewant to beat them.”

The Bobcats have clinched first place in the South Divisionrace. Pearl River (7-1, 4-1) plays East Central (5-3, 4-2) Thursdaynight to determine second place in the South.

In the North Division, Mississippi Delta (7-1, 5-0) has clinchedthe title and will play the South runner-up next week. If Northeast(3-5, 3-2) can beat Holmes (3-5, 3-2) Thursday the Tigers willclaim second place in the North and keep Northwest (6-2, 3-2) outof the playoffs.

“Our kids are playing together as a team,” Dykes. “We have agood group of kids. It’s been a thoroughly enjoyable year.”

At quarterback, Charles Hales (6-1, 190), a freshman fromEllisville, operates the offense. Hales has passed for 1,329 yardsand 6 touchdowns.

The Bobcats boast an outstanding running back in sophomore RalphDavis (6-1, 210) of Quitman. Davis has rushed for 1,057 yards and 6touchdowns. His prime receiver is Laurel freshman Alonzo Nix (5-11,175) who has 36 passes for 654 yards and 6 TDs.

Rashard Phillips (5-9, 190), a sophomore from Ellisville (SouthJones) sees a lot of playing time in the backfield. He has rushedfor 458 yards and 7 TDs.

All four of Jones County’s sophomores on defense will sign withsenior colleges. At cornerback is David Scott. The two sophomorelinebackers Josh Tate and Nate Hardage. Fred Blueford is atdefensive end.

The Bobcats start seven freshmen on defense.

“We have a good kicker and punter in Nick Terracina, a freshmanfrom Lake Charles, La.,” said Dykes. Terracina averages 37.5 yardsper punt. He kicked field goals of 43, 28, 27 and 22 yards in lastweek’s 28-7 win over Hinds.

Wolves Make Comeback

Co-Lin (5-3, 2-3) erased a 20-0 halftime deficit to beat GulfCoast 36-28 last Saturday at Perkinston. Sophomore linebacker KenBournes intercepted a Gulf Coast pass and returned it for atouchdown to seal the victory. Jimbo Thornton had kicked a 35-yardfield goal to push Co-Lin ahead 30-28 with 1:26 left in thegame.

“It was a good win for us,” said first-year Co-Lin head coachDave Cross. It also snapped a 3-game losing streak.

“Jones County is solid on both sides of the football,” saidCross. “They are an outstanding team. They’ve already won theSouth. I don’t see any way that they won’t win state.”

Jones County has a talented, veteran group on offense.

“Offensively, they start 10 sophomores,” said Cross. “They havean outstanding kicker. He made a 50-yarder against Hinds.”

Cross said he expects his team to play well against Jones.

“I’ll be disappointed if we don’t get after them. We’ve had somegood practices this week.”

Sophomore fullback Aaron Yarborough had one of his better gamesagainst Gulf Coast. He twisted an ankle in the second half.

Defensively, Antwan Marsh and Ken Bournes led the Wolves. Marshreturned a fumble 26 yards for a TD.

Freshman quarterback Willie Johnson ran for 1 touchdown andpassed 8 yards to fullback Lorenzo Townsend for another score.Tailback Darius Bingham ran 23 yards for a TD.

Cross said his team has practiced in shorts and shoulder padsthis week due to the few days between the two games. “Our playersare pretty banged up.”

Wolf Tails: Last year Co-Lin edged Jones County 21-20 inthe season finale at Ellisville as both teams finished3-7.