WESSON – Freshmen quarterback Daniel Fitzwater had a game-high performance completing 25-of-31 passes for 447 yards and two touchdowns as the Co-Lin Wolves crushed the Southwest Bears 42-14 Thursday night in JUCO football action at Stone Stadium.

“This was a good win for us, especially against our rivals, Southwest,” said Co-Lin coach Glenn Davis. “Our main goal coming in was to finish in the top 10 for a possible shot of receiving a bowl bid.

“Overall, I was very proud of the guys’ efforts,” continued Davis. “This sophomore class was the winningest class for us in years with 16 wins and five losses.”

In a battle of rivals, the Wolves and Bears fought hard from start to finish as tempers sometimes became an issue, fighting against friends or former high school rivals. In the first quarter, Co-Lin came out and set the tone of the contest as Fitzwater hooked up with sophomore receiver De’Vante Nichols for 48-yard passing touchdown. The Wolves managed to convert a successful attempt for the two-point conversion on a bad snap for the extra-point as Carroll Phillips pass to Koy McFarland with 11:30 remaining.

In the second quarter, Southwest managed to get on the scoreboard and trim into Co-Lin lead 7-6 as sophomore running back Jamal Hall scramble 16 yards to paydirt with 13:02 left. Michal McDaniel finished a perfect two-of-two on the extra point kick for the Bears.

Co-Lin answered Southwest challenge with a 13-point blast before the end of the first half. Freshman running back DeLance Turner sparked the Wolves with a one-yard touchdown run with 10:30 remaining. Freshmen kicker Blayne Jones was four-of-five on the extra point kicks for the Wolves.

Co-Lin increased their lead at the 1:21 mark of the second quarter, when Fitzwater connected with Javon Washington on a five-yard pass play. The Wolves lead 21-7 at halftime over the Bears.

During halftime, the Southwest and Co-Lin band provided great entertainment for their fans, friends and other viewers.

In the second half, Co-Lin continued the aggressive offensive onslaught with a quick strike to the endzone off of a 41-yard jolt to paydirt by sophomore running back Kelton Smith with 12:53 remaining.

The Bears rallied to cut into the Wolves lead 28-14 late in the third quarter as freshmen quarterback De’Angelo Ballard rushed in a 13-yard touchdown with 4:10 left.

In the fourth quarter, Co-Lin dominated the Bears with their strong defense and kept Southwest scoreless. The Wolves’ offense capitalized and increased their lead.

Freshmen Diquan Davis cashed in two touchdown for the Wolves with a seven-yard run with 6:12 remaining and a 43-yard sprint with 1:44 left.

Co-Lin has a very good team,” said Southwest first-year head coach Tucker Peavey. “I was extremely pleased of the guys’ efforts. They play fought hard from start to finish. Overall, we still have a lot of work to do to get at the level we need to be to compete with a team like Co-Lin.”

Offensively, Casey Gladney was the top receiver for the Wolves with 10 catches for 163 yards.

Kelton Smith directed the ground attack with 98 yards rushing on 14 carries. Davis rushed nine times for 94 yards.

Ballard paced the Bears on offense, completing four-of-16 pass for 38 yards. He also had 76 yards rushing on 14 carries.

Defensively, Demond Tucker, Gabe Terry, Carroll Phillip and Jordan Harris lead Colin with six tackles apiece.

Dalvin Acker was the top hitter for Southwest with seven tackles. Troy Egana. Terrien Steele and Jarvis Wallace contributed five stops each.

The No. 9-ranked Wolves finished the season with a 7-2 record overall and a 4-2 record in South division action. The Bears conclude their season with a 2-7 worksheet overall and 1-5 record in South division play.

Co-Lin will be watching the polls to see if they will finish in the Top 10 of the JUCO Polls to see whether or not they could receive a invite to play in a bowl game in the next four weeks after the conclusion of the MACJC playoffs.