WESSON – Co-Lin head football coach Dave Poinsett doesn’t likeplaying pushovers in the season opener. Poinsett’s wish wasanswered when Mississippi Delta Community College was placed atopCo-Lin’s 2002 schedule.

Delta, 9-2 and state playoff runner-up last year, visitsPoinsett’s Wolves Thursday night. Kickoff is 7 p.m. in StoneStadium.

Poinsett, promoted to head coach in July when Dave Crossresigned to enter private business, has been working overtime toprepare his team for the campaign. Two new coordinators are onstaff in Laurin Collins, offense; and Paul Purvis, defense. CalvinGreen returns as defensive secondary coach.

“We are looking forward to this game as a staff and as a team,”said Poinsett. “It will give us a good idea about our team and whatwe need to work on.”

Presently, Poinsett and his staff are trying to cope with a rashof injuries to key players. He hopes to have enough healthy playersavailable for tomorrow night’s game.

“We are dealing with injuries right now,” said Poinsett. “Wehave a makeshift front (line) and some makeshift receivers.”

One secure position is quarterback where Bruce Petty (6-1, 220,fr.) of Marrero, La. will be starting. Backing Petty are Ty Smith(6-3, 220, fr.) of Natchez and Billy Williams (6-1, 200, fr.) ofBrookhaven.

At tailback, Shermaine Vaughn (6-1, 197, fr.) of Enterpriseexpects to see plenty of action for the Wolves. Leaders at fullbackare Johnathan Eley (6-0, 268, fr.) of Monticello and Adam Smith(6-1, 230, fr.) of Brookhaven.

“We are working on our game plan,” said Poinsett. “We want toexecute right and get off the ball. We want to do well on offenseand defense.”

Poinsett said he expects Delta to provide a strong challenge forhis team. The Trojans lost to Co-Lin 48-34 last year during theregular season and then fell to Jones County in the state titlegame.

“(Trojans) were 9-2 last year,” said Poinsett. “I think they arecapable of winning the championship.

“They sure haven’t forgotten last year. They are veryexperienced and well disciplined.”

Co-Lin Defense Adjusts

On defense for the Wolves, Coach Purvis plans to rotate playersat several positions. Myricks Cole ((6-1, 254, so.) of Magee,Anthony Dampier (6-5, 345, so.) of Mendenhall, Alvin Young (6-0,315, so.) of Lake Butler, Fla., and Michael Davis (6-1, 255, fr.)of Harrisville are at the end positions. Also in the front line areRodney Keyes (6-3, 215, fr.) of Silver Creek and Dusty Shack (6-1,220, fr.) of Mendenhall.

Working at linebacker will be Adam Speeg (6-1, 237, fr.) ofBrookhaven, Tim Dobbins (6-2, 221, fr.) of Nashville, Tenn.,Michael Davis (6-1, 255, fr.) of Harrisville, and Curtis Stubbs(6-0, 245, so.) of Mendenhall.

In the secondary, Derrick Ambrose (6-1, 205, fr.) of Marrero,La., Lonnie Roberson (5-11, 182, so.) of Georgetown, David Smith(6-0, 190, so.) of Utica and Don Expose (6-1, 217, so.) ofBrookhaven are at the safety positions. At cornerback are HowardOverby (5-11, 192, fr.) of Mendenhall, Darius Cox (5-9, 165, so.)of Magee, Damien Gary ((5-9, 170, fr.) of Hazlehurst and DerrickJenkins (5-10, 170, so.) of Mendenhall.

Jimbo Thornton (5-9, 165, so.) of Florence will place kick andThomas Garland (5-11, 164, fr.) of Crystal Springs will punt.

“We have got to continue to get better,” said Purvis.

“We must play all out regardless of the situation, whether weare up or down.”

“Delta has a lot of returnees coming back,” Purvis continued.”Their quarterback (Ronnie King) put on a show last year and he’sback. Their good running back (Noah Ingram) is also back.”

The Trojans are under the direction of head coach Jim Southward,a Mississippi State graduate. Southward is in his ninth year at thehelm and is 51-31 overall.

Wolf Tails: Freshman quarterback Willie Johnsonthrew for 3 touchdowns and 287 yards as Co-Lin beat Delta last yearat Wesson.

Aaron Pitts intercepted 2 passes for the Wolves.