WESSON – The playoff-bound Pearl River Wildcats wrapped upregular season play Thursday night with a 52-13 South Division winover the Co-Lin Wolves in Stone Stadium. The Wolves finish theseason 2-7 overall and 1-5 in division play.

South Division runner-up Pearl River (8-1, 5-1) visits NorthDivision champion Northwest (8-1, 6-0) in the first round of thestate football playoffs on Nov. 8. South Division champ Hinds (8-1,6-0) hosts North runner-up Mississippi Delta (6-2, 4-1).

“I wish them (Wildcats) lot of luck in the playoffs,” saidCo-Lin head coach Dave Poinsett after the game. “Those guys playedhard.”

Pearl River did nothing on their first 2 first-quarterpossessions but kicked its offense into gear on the thirdpossession. The Wildcats marched 52 yards in 5 plays to score on a5-yard burst up the middle by running back Bernard Smith. GregBryant kicked the extra point as Pearl River went up 7-0 with 4:55left. Bryant went on to nail 6 of 7 PATs on the night.

The Wolves had the football for 2 plays when Wildcat defensiveback Larry Kendrick picked off Co-Lin quarterback Ty Smith for a35-yard pass-interception return and a 14-0 lead with 3:01left.

On Co-Lin’s first play in the second quarter, Kendrick pickedoff his second Smith pass and returned it 20 yards for a quick TDand pushed Pearl River’s lead to 21-0 with 14:39 on the clock.

Pearl River scored on a safety next with 13:14 left following ablocked Thomas Garland punt by Wildcat Joe Hinton. The Wildcatincreased their lead to 23-0 over the Wolves.

Co-Lin kicked off to Pearl River and the Wildcats scored again.Driving 68 yards on 6 plays, Pearl River quarterback AnthonyJohnson went up the middle on a keeper for a 1-yard touchdown.Pearl River increased its lead to 30-0 with 11:05 remaining in thefirst half.

With 8:05 left, the Wolves got a break when defensive backJulius Robinson intercepted Johnson at the Pearl River 10. Co-Lincame up with no points when the pass for a touchdown failed onfourth down with 10 yards to score.

Co-Lin took advantage of another break 2 plays later whenlinebacker Tim Dobbins picked up a Pearl River fumble and returnedit 44 yards for the touchdown. Garland’s PAT kick was blocked byKendrick who return it to the Wolves end zone for a safety and a32-6 lead at the half.

“We played sloppy the first half,” said Pearl River headfootball coach Tim Hatten. “We played a little better in the secondhalf.”

The Wildcats took the second half opening kickoff and scoredquickly for a 39-6 lead. Pearl River drove 46-yards in 3 plays whenKendrick caught a 25-yard pass from Johnson with 13:21 on theclock.

The Wolves defense scored again when defensive back JuliusRobinson picked up a Wildcat fumble and ran it in from 8 yards outfor the TD. Garland’s PAT kick was good and Co-Lin cut the deficitto 39-13.

Pearl River answered back six plays later, driving 59 yards toscore on a 4-yard run by Kendrick for a 45-13 lead.

In the fourth quarter, the Wildcats added another touchdown on a25-yard pass-play from backup quarterback Marcello Woods to widereceiver Raphyel Howell to cap a 7-play, 65-yard drive.

“Co-Lin played hard,” added Hatten. “They were a few athletesshort. They played hard to the end.”

Pearl River led with 15 first downs and 431 total offensiveyards. Co-Lin had 9 first downs and 136 yards on offense.

“We got everybody on the field,” explained Poinsett. “We’rebanged up. No one laided down.”