Turner’s 4 TD passes lead Co-Lin over Coahoma
Published 8:11 pm Friday, September 3, 2010
WESSON – Quarterback Percy Turner and his Co-Lin teammates foundtheir groove in the second half Thursday night. The Wolfpackexpanded a 10-6 halftime lead as Turner threw four touchdown passesin sparking his team to a 33-6 season-opening win against theCoahoma Community College Tigers in Stone Stadium.
A large, partisan crowd watched with approval as Turner tossed TDpasses of 35 and 18 yards to running back Titus Mobley. He alsohooked up with Fred Fuller on a 25-yard TD connection and withMichael Berry on a leaping 4-yard TD catch late in the fourthquarter.
“We got off to a slow start but we finally got it going,” saidTurner. The sophomore from Fayette completed 16 of 30 passes for177 yards.
In the second quarter, facing a fourth down at Coahoma’s 35-yardline, Turner escaped the grasp of three Tiger tacklers and threw astrike to Mobley in the end zone. The PAT kick by Justin Danisegave Co-Lin a 10-3 halftime lead.
“It was fourth down and I knew I had to make it,” said Turner. “Iheard Titus calling to me and he caught it.”
Turner said Co-Lin’s young offensive line improved as the gameprogressed. “We trusted in our line and our defense playedgreat.”
The Wolves sparkled in their new uniforms and Turner echoed thefeelings of his teammates. “I love the uniforms. If you look good,you play good.”
Wide receiver Damien Burnett was Co-Lin’s leading receiver with 4catches for 48 yards. Mobley had 3 catches for 51 yards. Fullercaught 2 passes for 33 yards and Berry had 2 for 31 yards.
Co-Lin head coach Glenn Davis said he was relieved to post aseason-opening victory. “I was worried how our team would playbecause we are so young. We got better as the game went on. We dida good job on defense and got some key turnovers.”
Coahoma, the North Division runner-up in 2009, was derailed by fourturnovers. The Tigers had fallen behind 3-0 when Danise connectedon a 24-yard field goal. They took a 6-3, second-quarter lead whenrunning back Courtney Vaughn cut back and scored from nine yardsout. The extra point was blocked.
In the third quarter, Co-Lin went 41 yards to paydirt in fourplays. Turner pump-faked once and hit Fuller with a 25-yard TDpass, making 17-6 with 9:32 showing.
In the fourth quarter, Co-Lin’s defense stopped the Tigers onfourth down at the Wolves’ 23-yard line. Turner directed a 6-play,77-yard march. Scrambling to his left, Turner threw an 18-yardstrike to Mobley and it was 24-6.
Co-Lin was given a 2-point safety when the fourth down snap sailedover the Coahoma punter Trent Williams and out of the end zone.Taking the next kickoff, Fuller returned it 32 yards to the Coahoma42, igniting a drive to the end zone.
Mobley was Co-Lin’s leading rusher with 10 carries for 53 yards.Danny Hobbs picked up 26 yards on 5, fourth-quarter carries.
Coahoma coach Freeman Horton said his defense grew weary in thesecond half. “Conditioning was a major problem for us. We kept ourdefense on the field too long and then we got tired.”
Tiger quarterbacks Garrick Jones and Jerry Parker combined for 178yards passing. Parker was intercepted in the third quarter byfreshman Dehendret Collins who made the theft at his 1-yard lineand returned it to Coahoma’s 40.
Co-Lin continues its homestand next Thursday, hosting the HolmesBulldogs.