BRUNSWICK, Ga. – Cedric Johnson made a victorious return to hishome state of Georgia Saturday. The Co-Lin sophomore from Americusdirected the Wolfpack to a 21-0 victory over Georgia MilitaryCollege in the Golden Isles Bowl Classic, rushing for onetouchdown. He completed 12 of 17 passes for 86 yards and rushed 6times for 31 yards. He was named Co-Lin’s Most Valuable Player.

Co-Lin (9-3) posted its first shutout of the season and thefirst shutout in the bowl’s history.

“It feels good to come and play in Georgia after playing twoyears in Mississippi,” said Johnson. He was surrounded by familyand friends who made the 2-hour drive from Ameicus.

“We started slow but we got it going in he second half,” saidJohnson.

Co-Lin head coach Glenn Davis said Johnson realized hispotential this season, directing the Wolfpack to the South Divisionchampionship. “I told Cedric after last season that if he workedhard, he would be the best player in our league.

“This was a great win for our team and our program,” Davisadded. “Our players and coaches worked hard to achieve this.

GMC (8-3), ranked one rung ahead of Co-Lin at No. 8 in thelatest NJCAA poll, was overwhelmed by Co-Lin’s aggressive defense.The Bulldogs suffered their first shutout. They were limited to 48yards total offense, just seven yards rushing.

Two sophomores from Brookhaven were instrumental in Co-Lin’sfirst touchdown of the game. Defensive tackle Jessie Bowmanrecovered a fumble by GMC quarterback Carlton Fears on a sack atthe Bulldogs’ 25-yard line. Wide receiver Bud Chatman made twostraight receptions of Cedric Johnson passes, moving the Wolfpackto the 3-yard line where Johnson made a leaping dive across thegoal line.

On first down at the GMC 25, Johnson dodged several would betacklers and hit Chatman with an 7-yard pass to the 18. On the nextplay, Johnson speared Chatman with a 15-yard gainer to the 3.

Nick Gunter’s PAT kick was good and Co-Lin led 7-0 with 11:20left in the first half.

“I was just trying to make some first downs,” said Chatman.”This is a good way to end my career at Co-Lin.”

Defense dominated the first half of action. Marcus Udellintercepted Fears on MGC’s first possession. After gaining a firstdown at the GMC 18, the Pack settled for a 38-yard field goal byGunter. A low snap led to a low kick.

More field goal woes plagued Co-Lin. After Johnson limped offthe field, Co-Lin attempted a 34-yard field goal. It was blocked byRoger King and returned by Darrell Pasco to the Bulldogs’ 39.

A 15-yard personal foul penalty against Co-Lin granted GMC afirst down at the Pack’s 46. The Bulldogs gained another first downat the Co-Lin 36 but the Pack turned back MGCC and took over at the28 when Jasper O’Quinn broke up a fourth down pass at the goal lineintended for wide receiver Emmanuel Duke.

Co-Lin linebacker Blake Spiers was delighted with the shutout.”That’s all I wanted was a goose egg on the scoreboard. Our defensedid a great job. It’s been a great ride at Co-Lin.”

Defensive tackle Jessie Bowman agreed with Spears. “We showed weare the No. 1 defense. We got our first shutout.’

Defensive back Jasper O’Quinn echoed Bowman’s sentiments. “Allwe read about in the papers was how tough Georgia Military’sdefense was. We had to come out here and make a statement.”

Marcus Udell intercepted Fears twice in the game.

Co-Lin took control in the second half. The Pack marched 76yards in 9 plays and scored on a 2-yard plunge by Aaron Johns.Gunter’s PAT kick put Co-Lin up 14-0 with 12:31 left in thegame.

Johns, a sophomore from Thomasville, Ala., was the workhorse inCo-Lin’s backfield. His 1-yard plunge and Gunter’s PAT pushed thePack’s lead to 21-0 with 6:39 left to play. He finished the gamewith 22 carries for 98 yards.

Co-Lin wide receiver Damoyn Carroll caught 3 passes for 37yards. Kentrell Cleveland had 12 rushes for 52 yards.

GMC coach Bert Williams complimented the Pack. “Hats off toCoach Davis and Co-Lin. “They played good defense. There weren’tany surprises. Their linebackers were a little bit better than weexpected.

“We couldn’t execute today. We had problems.”

Daniel Wilcox, credited with 8 tackles and a quarterback sack,was chosen GMC’s Most Valuable Player.