WESSON — Coach Glenn Davis knows there is no easy road tomaking the state playoffs. His Copiah-Lincoln Community CollegeWolfpack must win the rest of their South Division games to remainin contention for a playoff berth.

Co-Lin’s South Division menu continues Saturday afternoon inStone Stadium when the East Central CC Warriors pay a visit.Kickoff is 2:30 p.m. The Wolves (1-1, 0-1) are recovering from acase of heartburn after absorbing a 30-37 homecoming loss to GulfCoast last Saturday.

“It was a tough loss but we’ve got to put it behind us,” saidDavis. “We have to get ready for a strong East Central squad.”

East Central (1-1, 0-1), coached by Terry Underwood, opened itsseason with a 35-10 loss to defending national champion PearlRiver. Last week the Warriors whipped archrival East Mississippi26-0.

Asked to analyze East Central, Davis said, “They are physical,aggressive and very quick on defense. They are faster than GulfCoast.”

Davis said his Wolfpack must prepare for an explosive offensiveattack. “Offensively, they spread you out all over the field. Theythrow the ball a lot. We must defend the pass and put pressure onthe quarterback.”

Looking back on the loss to Gulf Coast, Davis said the Wolveshad their chances to pull out a victory. “Gulf Coast made one morebig play than we did. Our kids played hard and never laiddown.”

Against Gulf Coast, the Wolfpack spotted the visitors a 14-0,first-quarter lead before coming back. They caught the Bulldogs at20-20 late in the third quarter on a 36-yard TD pass fromquarterback Cedric Johnson to wide receiver Damoyn Carroll.

The Bulldogs went up 30-20 before Co-Lin scored again on a19-yard run by Johnson with 3:21 left to play.

“We have worked hard on not giving up the big plays in practicethis week,” Davis continued. “We need to get healthy.”

Gulf Coast quarterback Erick Walden completed 15 of 30 passesfor 283 yards and 1 touchdown, a 71-yard hookup with C.J.Hawthorne. Walden also rushed for 43 yards and 2 TDs. Running backDantrell Savage rushed for 103 yards on 26 carries.

Co-Lin countered with Johnson completing 21 of 42 passes for 275yards an 2 TDs. Carroll caught 4 passes for 90 yards. MauriceTaylor had 6 catches for 46 yards.

Johnson also rushed 15 times for 78 yards. Rashawn Robinsonrushed 15 times for 50 yards.

East Central Regroups

Hurricane Katrina hit the Decatur campus with fury, destroying apress box and the visitors’ bleachers. The Warriors are playingtheir home games at Newton County High School.

Underwood is in his eighth year at the helm. The Delta Stategrad has compiled a record of 33 wins and 37 losses.

The Warriors finished 4-5 last season and 2-4 in the South.

“We improved a lot in one week,” said Underwood. He has a newoffensive coordinator in Mike Volarvich who comes from Blinn(Texas) which averaged 50 points per game the last two years.

Starting at quarterback is Elijah McDonald of Morton. He signedwith Jackson State but transferred. Also at quarterback areDeangelo Carter of Noxapater and Josh Lowery of Sparta, Tenn.

“Our quarterbacks are getting better,” said Underwood. “Allthree are capable of running the team.”

At running back, David McCants (5-9, 175) scored threetouchdowns for the Warriors last week. Desmond Graham (5-9, 170)also plays tailback. Derrick Qualls works at fullback.

At receiver, Chris Lark returns experience. Lennie Boatner,Allen Stewart and Letez Fortune and Colby Amis are in the passingcorps.

On defense, Jarius Neal of Tuscaloosa, Ala., starts at safety.He’s made a couple of interceptions and a lot of tackles.

Paul Tolbert of Homerville, Ga. stars at linebacker

In the defensive line, end Greg Hathorn and tackle Tim Stamperlead the defense. Ivan Hickman starts at linebacker.

“I think Coach Davis has done an outstanding job of recruiting,”said Underwood. “They seem to have a great team. They could be moretalented than anybody we’ve played.”

Underwood said he was impressed with Johnson’s skills atquarterback. “He can pass and run the football. Co-Lin is big atreceiver.”

Co-Lin’s huge size in the trenches caught Underwood’s eye, too.”Front play will be a key on both sides of the line. We have to tryand neutralize their size. We must be ready to play.”

Wolf Tails: Last year East Central beat theWolves 37-20 at Decatur.