Give Co-Lin head football coach Glenn Davisand his dedicated staff of assistant coaches credit. Give thehard-working players plenty of credit, too.

    The Wolfpack made the most of a massive rebuilding campaign. Theyfinished 5-4 overall and 2-4 in the South Division. Davis haddirected his  team to a 9-2record in 2010, including a South Division championship.

    The next step was rebuilding or reloading. Take your pick.

    Junior college athletics resemble a revolving door. Players comeand go in a hurry. After two seasons, many depart for seniorcolleges. The rebuilding process becomes an annual challenge.

    On the bright side, Co-Lin started four sophomores on defense andthree on offense in the final game of the season, a 21-12 victoryover the playoff-bound Northeast Tigers. That means the Wolvesshould be title contenders in 2012 if they stay healthy andacademically eligible.

    Co-Lin’s defensive unit finished No. 1 in total defense in theMACJC, allowing 249 yards per game. The four sophomore members ofthe starting unit were defensive backs Dehendret Collins and TevinThomas of Meadville, and Davian Noble of Fayette, and linemanDerrick Billups of Aliceville, Ala.

    Freshman starters on Co-Lin’s defense included defensive backRobert Jones of Laurel, end Jerrell Jordan of Alta Vista, Va.,defensive back Bryan Issac of Natchez, linebackers Chico Martin ofMendenhall and Raymond Williams of Natchez and linemen TerrellHartsfield of Wake Forest, N.C. and Jordan Black of Valdosta,Ga.

    The offense featured three sophomore starters in running back JoelDavis of Natchez, center Josh Young of Starkville, and guard JoelBonner of Hazlehurst. Running back Danny Hobbs of Mendenhall sawplenty of action, too.

    Freshmen on offense included quarterback Chandler Rogers ofBrookhaven, wide receivers Darren Anderson of Bastrop, La.,DeVante’ Scott of Ferriday, La. and Alonzo Lewis of Vacherie, La.The tight end is Jamie McCardle of Monticello.

    Rogers sustained a concussion in Co-Lin’s 7-6 win at East Centraland Anderson was moved to quarterback for the season finale.

    Freshmen offensive linemen are right tackle Milton King of Magee,left tackle Demechery Hickingbottom of Meadville, and left guardPreston Shelton of Meadville. Freshman center Sam Ballard ofBrookhaven missed the last few games with a foot injury.

    Another freshman, punter/kicker Nolan Long of Ackerman, will bereturning next season.

    The next big challenge is recruiting. In September, the 14 MACJCpresidents voted to reduce the number of out-of-state scholarshipsand open the state to recruiting instead of providing designateddistricts for each school.

    Coach Davis and his staff of Larry Williams, Calvin Green, DrewO’Daniel, Bill Hemingway, Clarence McDougal and Dicenzo Miller facea daunting recruiting task. Recruiting budgets must be increased tokeep Co-Lin on the high road.

    In fact, it would be beneficial to take a professoralong  on these recruitingadventures to promote the academic benefits of attending Co-Lin.Parents could be swayed by that positive approach.

    

    Meanwhile, Professor Hoopla, B.S., was approached by a slick talkerwho tried to learn the secret of his prognosticating skills. Hooplawas ready to turn  a profitafter a 20-2 showing two weeks ago. However, he returned to realitylast week, predicting the winners of 24  games and getting just 13correct.

    Here’s a preview of this weekend’s games, starting with a Thursdaynight special.

     Valley State at SouthAlabama:  It’s a 6:30kickoff tonight in picturesque Mobile as the Jaguars crush thevisitors from Itta Bena. South Alabama 52-6.

     Brookhaven at South Jones: Panthers start slow butfinish strong in Ellisville. Brookhaven 24-14.

         Dexter at Bogue Chitto: Bobcats have their handsfull when the high-octane Bulldogs invade Troy Smith Field. Dexter34-26.

     Oak Forest at BrookhavenAcademy:  Notorious slowstarters, the Cougars put some points on the board in the firstquarter and notch an opening round win in the MAIS Class AA stateplayoffs. Brookhaven Academy 36-20.

     North Forrest at Wesson: Explosive Eagles can’tstop the Cobras’ rushing attack in this Class 2A state playoffopener. Wesson 24-14.

     Southeast Lauderdale atFranklin County:  Bulldogsclear their first hurdle in the Class 3A state playoffs. FranklinCounty 21-10.

     Heidelberg at Hazlehurst: Indians make an impressivestart in the 3A playoffs. Hazlehurst 48-12.

      In other area action,  Pearl over McComb 28-18, Philadelphiaover Jefferson County 29-12 and Laurel over Lawrence County27-13.

    Plowing ahead to Saturday’s collegiate scene, Hoopla previews theMACJC state playoffs.

     Hinds at East Mississippi: The Eagles author an upsetin Scooba. Hinds 27-24.

     Northeast at Gulf Coast:      Tigers landed a berth in the stateplayoffs but they will encounter a beast in Perkinston. Gulf Coast42-14.

     Southern Miss at EastCarolina:  Golden Eaglesare flying high as they continue their winning ways. Southern Miss37-17.

     Ole Miss at Kentucky: Rebels hunger for an SECvictory but they’ll leave Lexington empty-handed. Kentucky28-20.

     Tennessee-Martin atMississippi State:  Bulldogs get a much-needed break fromthe SEC wars. State 38-19.

     Grambling State at JacksonState:  Top-ranked JSUTigers must avoid an upset in Mississippi Veterans MemorialStadium. Jackson State 36-20.

     West Alabama at DeltaState:  No. 1-rankedStatesmen must avoid a letdown on homecoming weekend. Delta State40-20.

     In other games, Alabama A&M overAlcorn State 28-14, Mississippi College over Texas-Lutheran 31-14,Cumberland over Belhaven 27-10 and Millsaps over Tarleton State20-13.

     LSU at Alabama: Hoopla can’t resistpicking the Tigers over the Crimson Tide in Tuscaloosa. LSU14-10.

 

    Contact sports editor Tom Goetz by Email:tgoetz@dailyleader.com