Co-Lin’s rally falls short
Published 10:45 am Friday, October 9, 2015
RAYMOND – The No. 9 Co-Lin Wolfpack scored two touchdowns in the final five minutes of the game, but it wasn’t enough as the Hinds Eagles held on for a 33-26 South Division victory Thursday night in Raymond.
The Wolfpack dropped to 5-2 overall and 2-2 in the South, while Hinds improved to 4-3 overall and 2-2 in the South.
Co-Lin took a 6-0 lead as quarterback Garrett Kruzcek connected with Lakedric Lee for a 6-yard touchdown pass with 2:56 left in the first quarter, but Greg Nickles’ PAT was blocked.
Hinds answered quickly on their next possession, when quarterback Jazuez Parks hit Jahmmir Taylor with a 69-yard touchdown strike at the 2:03 mark. Mason Sollie added the point after to give the Eagles a 7-6 lead.
The Wolfpack would take a 12-7 lead with 9:46 remaining in the third quarter as Kruzcek threw his second of four touchdown passes in the game to Julius Craft from 14 yards out. Nickles’ PAT was blocked again as Co-Lin lead 12-7.
The Eagles would score 26 unanswered points to claim a 33-12 lead with 7:10 remaining in the game, which proved to be too big for the Wolfpack to overcome.
Hinds quarterback TR Page scampered 62 yards for a touchdown with 8:24 left in the third quarter to give Hinds a 13-12 lead. Sollie’s PAT was blocked.
After Co-Lin fumbled the ensuing kick off, DeCrory McGee intercepted a Kruzcek pass and took it 13 yards to pay dirt. Sollie’s point after was good increasing the Hinds lead to 20-12 with 8:11 in the third quarter.
Taylor added his second touchdown of the game, a two-yard run, with 35 seconds left in the third quarter. The PAT was no good, but the Eagles commanded a 26-12 lead.
Parks threw his second touchdown of the night, a 26-yard strike to Javon Wims with 7:10 left in the final quarter. Sollie’s point after was good, and Hinds was ahead 33-12 and looked to be in cruise control.
But the Wolfpack fought back as Kruzcek hit Alexander Hollins with a 14-yard touchdown pass with 6:02 left in the game. Nickles’ PAT pulled the Wolfpack to 33-19.
The Wolfpack defense would hold forcing the Eagles to punt.
Kruzcek would engineer a final drive hitting Gemarta’ Jackson with a 2-yard touchdown pass, but it was too little too late.
On the night, Kruzcek was 20-of-32 for 234 yards, four touchdowns and one interception.
Co-Lin running back Lakedric Lee had his sixth 100-yard game with 21 carries for 109 yards and a receiving touchdown. Jacen Murphy had three catches for 55 yards and Julius Craft made four catches for 54 yards and one touchdown.
Page led the Hinds rushing attack with 14 carries for 120 yards and a touchdown, and completed 5-of-9 passes for 50 yards. Parks finished 10-of-15 for 176 yards, two touchdowns and one interception.
Taylor led the Eagle receivers with seven catches for 102 yards and two touchdowns, with one receiving and one rushing touchdown.
The Wolfpack will host Mississippi Gulf Coast in their final home game on Oct. 15. Kickoff is at 7 p.m. Watch live at www.colinathletics.com or listen on WMJU 104.3 FM in Brookhaven.