Sports

Friday, Nov. 06, 2009

Bulldogs, Lions meet for state title

Gulf Coast takes aim on its third straight MACJC state championship today when the 9-1 Bulldogs visit East Mississippi.

Kickoff is set for 2 p.m.

The third-ranked Bulldogs (9-1) have won nine in a row, and defeated East Mississippi 43-26 at Scooba on Sept. 17. Seventh-ranked East Mississippi is also 9-1.

The winner will be the host team at the Mississippi Bowl in Biloxi on Dec. 6.

“It’s a big one,’’ MGCCC coach Steve Campbell said. “We are familiar with them, they are familiar with us. It gets down to who executes better. I don’t think we’ll see a lot of trickery in this game.’’

Gulf Coast owns the second best running attack in the nation, with Vick Ballard galloping for 1,469 yards and 18 touchdowns this season. Quarterback Greg Jenkins has thrown for 17 touchdowns and rushed for eight TDs. Kelvin Bolden has been his favorite receiver, with 921 receiving yards and 13 TDs.

“I think they will gear up to stop our run,’’ Campbell said. “We will just have to take what they give us. So far this year, we have been able to do that.’’

Gulf Coast is also going for its 14th MACJC state football title.

East Mississippi’s hopes ride on the arm of NJCAA All-American quarterback Randall Mackey, who threw for 363 yards and two TDs against MGCCC on Sept. 17. Mackey is second nationally in total offense with 2,843 yards and is fourth nationally in TD passes with 22.

“He is a great quarterback and a great player,’’ Campbell said. “He can do so many things with his feet and his arm. We will have to mix things up (defensively).’’

Campbell said the Bulldogs are as healthy for this game as they have been the whole season. Defensive end Wayne Dorsey is 100 percent healthy as is defensive back Damien Jackson. Eric Wills is also full speed at running back.

Gulf Coast defeated Coahoma 58-21 in last week’s semifinals while EMCC defeated Jones County 26-16.

MGCCC opened the season ranked No. 2 nationally. The Bulldogs have made a steady climb and are back in contention for a national title.

“We haven’t talked about national polls,’’ Campbell said. “This is what you work toward and where you want to be.” It would be nice to send them out as state champions.’’