WESSON — Coaches Glenn Davis of Co-Lin and Steve Campbell ofMississippi Gulf Coast Community College have something in common.Last year they both coached under former Mississippi StateUniversity head coach Jackie Sherrill.

Campbell’s Gulf Coast Bulldogs host Davis and his Co-LinWolfpack Thursday night for a South Division contest. Kickoff is 7p.m.

Campbell only coached one season at MSU, directing the offensiveline. He was swept out the door when new head coach Sylvester Croomwas hired. Davis had coached running backs under Sherrill for sevenyears before taking the head job at Co-Lin.

Campbell was the head coach at Southwest Community College inSummit for three years before taking the head job at Delta StateUniversity. He directed the Statesmen to the NCAA Division IINational Championship in 2000 with a 14-1 overall record. He leftDSU and coached one season at Middle Tennessee State University,serving as offensive coordinator in 2002.

At Gulf Coast, Campbell inherits a talent-laden program whichhas failed to achieve the expected level of success. Former headcoach Bill Lee, a Moss Point product, compiled a 6-12 record beforereturning to Starkville High School.

Campbell’s team is off to a 2-2 start this season. The Bulldogslost to Jones County 41-14 last week after beating Holmes 41-30 theprevious week. They opened their season with a 28-0 loss toMississippi Delta but rebounded to beat Coahoma 49-27 the nextweek.

Davis said the Bulldogs have a potent attack. “Gulf Coast runsan option offense. They like to run it more than they throwit.”

Although the Bulldogs aren’t as powerful as Co-Lin’s last twoopponents, Pearl River and Northwest, they still have plenty oftalented offensive players.

“They have a talented running back (Dantreel Savage) and theirquarterback (Eric Walden) is somewhat similar to what we’ve beenseeing,” said Davis.

Walden (6-1, 190) is a freshman from Thomasville, Ga. He haspassed for 238 yards and 3 touchdowns. He has rushed for 195 yardsand 3 TDs.

Savage (5-11, 200) is a freshman from Columbus, Ga. He hasrushed for 208 yards and 2 TDs.

Tony Burks (6-4, 205), a freshman wide receiver from HarrisonCentral, is a big playmaker. Burks signed a scholarship with OleMiss but was unable to achieve the necessary GPA to be eligible asa freshman.

On defense, Blair Phillips (6-2, 240) from Alexandria, La. is astandout sophomore middle linebacker for the Bulldogs.

Co-Lin (1-3, 0-1) is fresh from a 54-27 home-field loss toNorthwest. The Wolves had led 21-19 at halftime and were tied 27-27at the end of the third quarter before the wheels came off.

“We have to be more disciplined and keep improving each week,”said Davis. “We have to keep plugging away. We can’t afford to beatourselves.”

Sophomore running back Julius Roberson led Co-Lin’s rushingattack with 11 carries for 46 yards and a TD versus Northwest. Hehas 243 yards and 3 touchdowns this season.

Freshman quarterback Beau Billeck completed 12 of 20 passes for141 yards and 2 TDs. Freshman wide receiver Daryl Johnson caught 4passes for 98 yards.

Freshman cornerback Michael Blackwell returned an interception35 yards to set up Co-Lin’s first touchdown. Ivan Hilliard caughtan 11-yard scoring pass from Billeck.

“We still have a lot of bumps and bruises,” said Davis. “Thiswill probably be a physical game.

“We have faced three strong opponents in a row,” said Davis.”Gulf Coast is pretty good and they’re going to be at home.Hopefully, we can play well on the road.”

Wolf Tails: Last year Co-Lin edged Gulf Coat28-23 at Wesson in the third game of the season and finished2-7.