WESSON — Co-Lin defensive end Raven Gray and his teammates havetheir work cut out for them Saturday. They’ll try to slow down EastMississippi Community College’s Legarrete Blount, recognized as thenation’s second leading rusher in the NJCAA. It will be a 2 p.m.homecoming kickoff in Scooba.

Gray (6-4, 275, fr.), from Enterprise, Ala., helped Co-Lin whipEast Central 23-10 last Saturday in Stone Stadium. He accounted for9 tackles, 3 quarterback sacks and a forced fumble.

With the win, Co-Lin’s Wolfpack climbed to 5-2 overall and 4-1in the South Division.

After a pair of 1-win seasons, Coach Glenn Davis finally has theWolfpack on the right track. Now they are leading the South andfighting for respect.

“When you don’t win many games in the past, you get picked forhomecoming,” said Davis.

By comparison, East Mississippi’s Lions continue to struggle inthe North Division. They are 3-4 overall and 3-2 in the divisionrace.

“Offensively, the have the No. 2 leading rusher in the nation,”said Davis. Blount (6-2, 235, soph.) of Perry, Fla. has rushed for1,106 yards and 10 touchdowns this season, helping the Lions win 2straight games.

“Their running back breaks a lot of tackles,” said Davis. “Wemust tackle the best we’ve tackled all year.”

The Lions possess other offensive weapons. They have a widereceiver, Steven Black (6-3, 208), who has already committed toLouisville.

“Chris Mitchell is an athletic quarterback for them.

He can run and throw it.”

Defensively, the Lions are coached by Brookhaven native KelbyBowman, a Co-Lin alumnus and Brookhaven native.

EMCC head coach Roger Carr has compiled a 6-16 record in threeseasons. He’s a Louisiana Tech graduate.

“Defensively, they have fairly good size in the defensive line,”said Davis. Defensive tackle James McLemore (6-0, 280) from Irma,S.C. in the line Demetrious Culpepper (6-3, 240), from AlexanderCity, Ala. are the leaders.

“We will have to work hard controlling those guys on the line ofscrimmage,” said Davis. “We have to win the battle.”

Bowman played for Davis when he was at Co-Lin (1995-96) earlierin his coaching career. Bowman played linebacker.

“Our defense played well the second half against East Central,”said Davis. “Offensively, we turned the ball over too much and shotourselves in the foot.”

“It’s a credit to our defense that we won the game,” Daviscontinued. “I think we sacked the quarterback six times. Ourdefensive front picked up the intensity in the second half.”

Leading the Wolves on defense was safety Johnny Sanders with 11stops. Linebacker Trey Hardaway had 8 stops and a sack.

Two big Co-Lin defensive plays were a fumble recovery returnedfor a touchdown by Kentario Hardy and an interception by BlakeSpiers.

Offensively, the Wolves were led by quarterback Cedric Johnsonwho completed 10 of 17 passes for 123 yards, plus rushing for 26yards and 2 touchdowns. Aaron Johns rushed for 71 yards on 18carries.

Wolf Tails: Co-Lin hasn’t played EMCC since the2000 season, when the Pack prevailed 25-13 at Wesson.