WESSON — One of the oldest rivalries in the MississippiAssociation of Community/Junior Colleges is renewed Thursday nightwhen the Co-Lin Wolves visit the Southwest Bears. Kickoff is 7 p.m.in Southwest’s Hurst Stadium.

Both teams are 1-1 on the season, entering their first SouthDivision test of the season. Co-Lin lost 24-13 to Itawamba lastThursday at Wesson while Southwest was winning 22-20 over EastMississippi at Scooba. It was the first win for new Southwest coachCharles Anthony.

Co-Lin coach Glenn Davis and his staff have spent many hourswatching Southwest game films. Davis said he is impressed bySouthwest’s athletic ability.

“Southwest is very athletic defensively,” said Davis. “They areathletic and fast. They don’t have great size but they are veryquick. They blitz a lot.”

Davis said the Bears are learning a new system under Anthony.”They are well coached. They haven’t given up any big plays.”

Sophomore quarterback Fred Jones (5-7,185) of Magnolia (SouthPike) is the catalyst in Southwest’s offense. He has cat-quickspeed and a strong passing arm.

“Their quarterback is what makes them go,” said Davis. “Theyhave big receivers and their backs run hard.”

Two of Southwest’s primary receivers are Edward Gant (6-3, 188,so.) of Cape Coral, Fla., and Theodes Wilson (6-0, 195,fr.) of PalmBeach, Fla.

Keeping up with Jones can be a problem. Davis said, “Theirquarterback runs around back there. He’s one of the better ones inthe league. He has a year under his belt.”

Jones threw 2 TD passes in the win over EMCC.

Co-Lin led Itawamba early 7-0 but only got two field goals theremainder of the game as the Indians came from behind to claim thevictory.

The Wolfpack had 3 turnovers, 2 lost fumbles and aninterception. Quarterback Cedric Johnson completed 13 of 23 passesfor 76 yards. The rushing game managed 121 yards as Johnson rushedfor 46 yards and Aaron Johns gained 41.

“We need to avoid turnovers and reduce our penalties,” saidDavis. “We can match up with anybody if we do those two things.That was the difference in the first two games.”

Southwest has ruled Co-Lin’s teams the past 3 seasons. The Bearshave outscored the Wolves 92-33 during that span.

“I hope we can stop the streak that’s going on,” said Davis. “Wehaven’t beat them in a while.”

Anthony Observes Co-Lin

Anthony served as defensive coordinator at West GeorgiaUniversity last season. He replaced Dom Green in July, after Greenleft for a scouting job with the NFL Carolina Panthers.

Anthony said the Wolves have some talent. “I think Co-Lin has agood football team. They have some guys who can run. They have someplaymakers on offense.

“Their running back (Aaron Johns) impresses me.

They have four receivers who are very athletic and can run.Their quarterback is very athletic.”

Johnson usually throws to four primary receivers in DamoynCarroll, Darius Williams, Rocky Coleman and Anthony Chambliss.

“Their defensive front impresses us,” said Anthony. “They havesome big guys in there and they have some quickness sprinkledin.”

Sophomore defensive tackle Jessie Bowman is among Co-Lin’sleading tacklers. He has 18 tackles in 2 games. Defensive backJohnny Sanders has 21 stops. Linebacker Blake Spiers and end RavenGray each have 2 quarterback sacks.

Anthony is familiar with the Southwest/Co-Lin rivalry. He servedas defensive coordinator at Southwest from 1999-2001 under formerhead coach Kenny Edenfield.

Family Feud

Southwest has three Brookhaven products on the team inlinebacker T.J. Qualls, cornerback Ronnie McNulty and wide receiverMontral Smith, all listed as freshmen. Co-Lin has two connectionsin the Southwest recruiting district: sophomore running backJohnathan Williams of Magnolia and freshman offensive linemanDwight Shaffer of Tylertown.

Wolf Tails: The last Co-Lin victory overSouthwest came in 2002, when the ‘Pack prevailed 16-10 at Wesson.Southwest won 36-19 last year.