WESSON — Another tough loss for the Co-Lin Wolfpack.

That frustrating scenario reared its ugly head again Thursdaynight in Stone Stadium as the Jones County Junior College Bobcatsescaped with a 17-14 South Division victory. For the Wolfpack (1-4,0-4), it was their fourth straight loss, the third by 5 points orless.

The Bobcats (2-3, 2-2) managed to turn back a determined,fourth-quarter Co-Lin comeback. The game ended when wide receiverBud Chatman was tackled by the Bobcats at the JCJC 14-yard line ashe tried to get out of bounds and stop the clock.

“I told our kids that I was proud of their effort,” said Co-Linhead coach Glenn Davis. “If we get in a fist fight, I want them onmy side. They kept fighting until the end.”

The Bobcats, directed by quarterback Brett Hyatt, unleashed arelentless passing attack. The sophomore from West Jones workedmainly out of the shotgun formation. Slowed by a sprained kneesustained in last week’s loss at Pearl River, Hyatt completed 21 of38 passes for 227 yards to a stable of fleet receivers.

Hyatt was sacked 7 times for losses totaling 45 yards but stillmanaged to keep his composure. Wide receiving Marcus Pitts ofBassfield was his primary target, catching 6 passes for 140yards.

“Our quarterback sprained his knee in the Pearl River game,”said JCJC head coach Parker Dykes. “He can’t move around like heused to. Now he gets sacked.”

Hyatt’s passing skills set up 2 short touchdown runs by PeteyThigpen, a 5-foot-7, 170-pound speedster from South Jones.Thigpen’s plunge from 1-yard out gave the Bobcats a 6-0 lead with3:10 left in the first quarter.

The Bobcats led 10-6 at halftime on a 29-yard field goal byMichael Swancey. He missed 2 more field goal attempts.

Co-Lin’s offense sputtered in the first half. The Wolfpackmanaged a second-quarter touchdown. Quarterback Cedric Johnsonhooked up with wide receiver/quarterback Thomas Hinton who made a1-handed grab in the corner of the end zone for a touchdown. On theprevious play, Hinton had carried a reception 27-yards to the5-yard line.

Nick Gunter’s extra point kick was blocked and Jones led 7-6with 9:10 left in the half.

In the third quarter, Gunter missed a 27-yard field goal. Co-Linhad another TD opportunity but Johnson was intercepted in the endzone by Ellis Lankster on the first play of the fourth quarter.Co-Lin had realized a first down at the Jones 35 before the thefttook place.

“Our defense kept us in the game,” said Davis. “We couldn’t getanything going on offense.”

The Bobcats got a 36-yard return from Lankster on theinterception and a 15-yard personal foul penalty was tacked on,moving the football to Co-Lin’s 49. After 8 plays and a passinterference penalty, to the Co-Lin 2, Thigpen squirted theremaining distance for a 17-6 lead.

The Wolfpack launched a 76-yard scoring drive after turning backthe Bobcats at the Co-Lin 24 on a fourth down fake by Thigpen.Thirteen plays later, Johnson passed 10 yards to wide receiverDamoyn Carroll who made a leaping catch in the end zone.

Johnson scrambled for the 2-point conversion and Co-Lin trailed17-14 with 2:58 left in the game. Johnson completed 13 of 35 passesfor 157 yards in the game. Five of his incomplete passes weredrops.

Carroll had 4 catches for 42 yards. Chatman had 3 receptions for37 yards.

The Bobcats realized 1 first down before being forced to punt inthe final minute. Co-Lin took over with 22 seconds left in the gameafter Charles McCrea made a 42-yard punt return.

“Co-Lin played hard and tried to win at the end,” said Dykes.”I’m happy to get out of here with a win. I’d be happy with a 1-0score.”

The Wolfpack travels to Summit next Thursday night to face theSouthwest Bears in Hurst Stadium.