Two area community college football programs wanting to climbthe South Division ladder begin preseason practice Saturday. Theplayers at Copiah-Lincoln and Southwest Mississippi CommunityColleges report Friday for physical exams and dormitory roomassignments

That’s a prelude to the long season ahead. Certainly, a few winswould make players, coaches and communities extremely happy. If youare keeping score, the Wolfpack (1-8) and Bears (2-7) combined forthree wins and 15 losses last season.

The Wolfpack won the season opener but the Wolves fell short inthe next eight games. Southwest got a forfeit win over Itawamba andspoiled Co-Lin’s homecoming the last game of the season.

If the players aren’t hungry, the coaches certainly are cravingmore success and job security. It’s a proven fact, a winningfootball team makes the school’s entire athletic program prosper.The food tastes better and the days are more enjoyable, too.

Co-Lin head coach Glenn Davis and his staff have been workinghard in preparation for the season. The locker room has under gonesome major renovations. That was partially financed by the sale ofroasted Boston butts. A golf tournament was held two weeks ago as aanother fund-raising project.

Davis, in his second year at the helm, said he expects around 80players to report. The first three practice days begin at 3:30 p.m.The Wolves practice twice daily on Aug. 9 and 11, starting at 8a.m. and 3:30 p.m.

The Wolfpack debuts on Thursday, Sept. 1, hosting the HolmesCommunity College Bulldogs. Kickoff is 7 p.m., in StoneStadium.

Meanwhile, in Summit, Southwest head coach Dom Green welcomesthe latest crop of players Friday. The Bears also receive physicalexams and dorm assignments before starting practice Saturday.

Green will be counting on two incoming freshman quarterbacks tocarry the load. That’s quite a responsibility.

The Bears debut Sept. 1, at Northeast Community College inBooneville. On Aug. 18, they’ll be treated to a barbecue supper oncampus.

According to Southwest offensive coordinator Ryan Ross, twosummer camps received heavy response. The Hawgs Camp, reserved foroffensive and defensive linemen, attracted over 100 area athletes.The first Cubby Bear youth football camp also drew a crowd.

Shock waves rattled the windows in Hattiesburg Monday whenSouthern Miss head football coach Jeff Bower dismissed two startersfrom his team for breaking team rules. Two other players quit andtwo more were suspended for the 2005 season opener againstTulane.

According to Southern Miss defensive team members Philip Tobiasof Brookhaven and Wayne Hardy of Monticello, Coach Bower believesin going by the rule book. The dismissed players were involved in afight at a Hattiesburg night club and they suffered theconsequences.

Hardy, a junior weakside linebacker, is making the transitionfrom fullback where he had been a part-time starter. He enjoyed animpressive spring practice and has received rave reviews.

“It was an unfortunate situation, but coach (Bower) made theright decision,” said Hardy. “Coach tries to go by the rules andkeep everybody in line. There’s nothing but trouble out there atthose joints.”

Hardy was touring Atlanta when he was contacted by cell phoneWednesday afternoon. The Golden Eagle varsity players report Mondayfor practice.

Tobias, a redshirt freshman, was moved from offensive tackle todefensive tackle in the spring. If you watched his athletic passrushes and hot pursuit of runners in high school, you definitelywonder why USM switched him to the offensive line instead ofkeeping him on defense.

Tobias agreed with Hardy, and said the beer joints should beavoided like the plague. “Nothing good comes out of those places.Coach says you can still have lots of fun by not going to thoseplaces.”

Hardy and Tobias have been busy in summer school when theyweren’t working out with teammates. Hardy completed three courses.Tobias takes his final exam in business calculus today.

Both young men should make a big impact on defense this season.They are looking forward to that Sept. 4, Sunday home openeragainst C-USA foe Tulane.

Write to sports editor Tom Goetz, c/o The DAILY LEADER, P.O.BOX 551, Brookhaven, MS 39602, or e-mailsports@dailyleader.com