By The People’s Paper MS
WESSON, Miss. — The No. 9 Copiah-Lincoln Community College Wolves are coming home for Homecoming Thursday, riding the momentum of a 12-game winning streak against rival Southwest Mississippi Community College.
Co-Lin will host East Central Community College at Stone Stadium in Wesson at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 8.
The Wolves enter the Homecoming matchup 4-2 overall and 2-1 in South Division play after defeating Southwest, 28-13, last Thursday in Summit.
For Co-Lin, Thursday night is more than another South Division game. It is an opportunity to celebrate Homecoming in front of a home crowd while continuing a season that has already produced some memorable moments.
And the Wolves have plenty of momentum behind them.
Wolves Take Down Southwest
Co-Lin scored in every quarter last Thursday to defeat Southwest, extending its winning streak in the rivalry to 12 straight games.
The Wolves opened the scoring midway through the first quarter when Jaylen Pettway connected with Zabryan Hood for a 58-yard touchdown catch and run. The two-play, 65-yard drive gave Co-Lin a 7-0 lead with 7:14 remaining in the quarter.
Co-Lin added another touchdown in the second quarter when Kendall Middleton found Bryant Sanchez for a 66-yard scoring pass. Ty Jones added the extra point, giving the Wolves a 14-0 advantage with 10:25 left in the first half.
Southwest answered with an 80-yard touchdown drive, cutting the lead to 14-7.
Then Co-Lin’s special teams delivered one of the game’s biggest plays.
With Southwest attempting a 51-yard field goal before halftime, Mike Williams blocked the kick. Daniel Watkins recovered the ball and returned it to the Co-Lin 38-yard line, allowing the Wolves to take their 14-7 lead into halftime.
Southwest continued to fight after the break.
After an interception gave the Bears possession at the Co-Lin 24-yard line, Southwest scored four plays later to pull within one. But Jy Cook blocked the extra-point attempt, keeping the Wolves ahead 14-13 with 6:59 left in the third quarter.
Co-Lin responded on its next possession.
Ja’Quan Bentley powered into the end zone from one yard out to finish an 11-play, 75-yard drive. After a bad snap disrupted the extra-point attempt, a Southwest penalty gave Jones another opportunity. He converted to make it 21-13 with 45 seconds left in the third.
The Wolves added their final touchdown in the fourth quarter.
On fourth down, Kendarious Porter broke through the Bears’ defense and raced 33 yards for a touchdown, finishing a nine-play, 80-yard drive. Jones’ extra point gave Co-Lin a 28-13 lead with 8:31 remaining.
The Wolves defense closed the door from there.
Watkins recorded a sack to end Southwest’s next possession, and Mike Harris added another sack to finish the 28-13 victory.
Big Nights Across the Field
Pettway completed 8 of 16 passes for 131 yards, one touchdown and one interception. Middleton completed all three of his passes for 78 yards and a touchdown.
Porter led the rushing attack with 89 yards and a touchdown on 17 carries. Bentley added 32 rushing yards and a touchdown on 11 carries, while Pettway rushed for 28 yards on three attempts.
Hood led the receivers with three catches for 78 yards and a touchdown. Sanchez had two receptions for 73 yards and a touchdown.
Jones also made his presence felt throughout the night. He converted all four extra-point attempts, recorded three touchbacks on five kickoffs and averaged 41 yards on four punts, with all four punts landing inside the 20-yard line.
Defensively, Watkins and Marlos Walker led Co-Lin with seven tackles each. Williams and Calvion Johnson recorded five tackles apiece.
Watkins, Williams, Harris and Durrell Washington Jr. each recorded a sack, while Watkins finished with 2.5 tackles for loss.
Now the Wolves turn their attention to Thursday night.
East Central comes to Wesson for Co-Lin Homecoming, with kickoff set for 6:30 p.m. at Stone Stadium.
After taking care of business on the road against Southwest, the No. 9 Wolves will look to give their home crowd another reason to celebrate.
Read more local sports coverage at thepeoplespapersms.com.
