WESSON — Two third-quarter interceptions returned fortouchdowns by Gulf Coast broke open a close game Saturday night,sparking the Bulldogs to a 31-17 victory against Co-Lin’s Wolfpackin the MACJC State Championship game. Co-Lin quarterback PercyTurner was picked off three times in the second half as Don Jonesreturned a theft 57 yards to paydirt and Lamar Johnson returned apick six 37 yards to the end zone.

Gulf Coast (9-2), runner-up to East Mississippi in last year’sstate title game at Scooba, won the hard way, winning both playoffgames on the road. Co-Lin, a 23-3 loser to the Bulldogs during theregular season at Perkinston, was derailed by five turnovers.

“Give Gulf Coast credit,” said Co-Lin coach Glenn Davis as hewatched the Bulldogs celebrate with the championship trophy. “Theymade some big plays.”

Co-Lin took an early 7-0 lead on a textbook drive on the Pack’sfirst possession. They went 70 yards in 7 plays, with MontrellConner plunging over left tackle from 2 yards out for thetouchdown. Justin Danise added the extra point.

The Bulldogs got a 33-yard field goal from Will Scott with 2:34left in the first quarter. They went ahead 10-7 as quarterbackClayton Moore orchestrated a 10-play, 56-yard march, climaxed byJames Gillum’s 1-yard rush up the middle. Gillum finished with 27carries for 131 yards.

The go-ahead TD was set up when Turner fumbled on a hard tackle.GC’s Will Copeland made the recovery at his 44.

Danise connected on a 40-yard field goal with 2:40 left in thefirst half, granting Co-Lin a 10-10 deadlock.

“I’m disappointed,” said Turner. “We came close but we made somemistakes. Gulf Coast’s defense is disciplined.”

Co-Lin received the second half kickoff and drove to the 43 beforeTurner threw his first interception. Jones returned the pick downthe sideline for the go-ahead TD and it was 17-10.

The Wolves trailed 24-10 after Johnson returned his pick to paydirtwith 4:19 left in the third frame.

Turner rallied his team and led them on a 54-yard TD drive. His13-yard scramble to the Bulldogs’1-yard line, set up Conner’sscoring dive. Co-Lin trailed 24-17 with 14:26 left in thegame.

Conner led Co-Lin with 13 rushes for 56 yards. Joel Davis ruishjed11 times for 46 yards.

The Bulldogs responded with an impressive 70-yard TD drive thatrequired 13 plays and used 7 minutes off the clock. A fourth downfake punt near midfield, called by GC coach Steve Campbell,resulted in blocking back Reuben Corley racing 32 yards to Co-Lin’s20.

Six plays later, Moore dove over left guard for the TD and a 31-17margin.

Campbell said his team dedicated themselves to winning a statetitle after last season’s setback. “We put shirts on in Januarythat said, ‘FINISH’.

“We beat a great football team on the road tonight and we beat anundefeated team (Northwest) last week on the road. We really,really played well in big games.”

Campbell’s Bulldogs are expected to host the Mississippi Bowl inOcean Springs, Dec. 5.