Wolves lose heartbreaker to ECCC, 13-10, in overtime

WSSON - In a defensive battle, the Co-Lin Wolves fell to the East Central Community College Warriors on Thursday night in H.L. Stone Stadium in a tight overtime contest, 13-10. ECCC's Robens Beauplan broke the tie with a 27-yard field goal on the Warriors' first overtime possession after blocking Co-Lin's would-be, go-ahead field goal. The loss drops the Wolves to 2-1 on the year and improves the Warriors to 2-3. Co-Lin is off next week and will be back in action on Thursday, November 12 as the team travels to Ellisville to face the 3-1 Bobcats who defeated Pearl River, 37-13. Kickoff for that contest is set for 7 p.m., and fans can listen to the game live at www.colinathletics.com/listen or at WMJU 104.3 FM in Brookhaven. 

The Wolves had a great showing in the early minutes of the game despite this being the first time on the field in two weeks. The team halted ECCC's opening drive in Co-Lin's territory and blocked a 49-yard try from Beauplan to take over on their own 32-yard line. 

Co-Lin immediately capitalized on the momentum and strung together a great, seven-play, 68-yard drive that saw two huge connections from Paul Hargrave. The sophomore hit Erick Rogers for 33-yards to put the team in ECCC's territory and then struck Dontavious Turner for a 34-yard gain, setting up first and goal from ECCC's five-yard line. Just two plays later Drexlan Allen hammered through the goal line. Bryce Lofton's extra point put Co-Lin on top 7-0 with 6:32 remaining in the first quarter.  

After a missed Co-Lin field goal late in the first quarter, Co-Lin took over in ECCC's territory after a high snap on a punt led to a turnover on downs. The Wolves were unable to get in the endzone, but Lofton nailed a 37-yard field goal attempt to grow the Wolves' lead to 10-0 with 3:57 remaining in the half. 

ECCC got the ball back and quickly put together a staggering, 15-play drive that saw three third-down conversions. Co-Lin held the Warriors out of the endzone, but Beauplan knocked in a 32-yard field goal and cut the Co-Lin lead seven, 10-3, going into the locker room. 

The second half was a defensive stalemate as nine straight possession between the squads resulted in punts. ECCC broke through in the opening drive of the fourth quarter as Holman Edwards found John Hilbert for a 36-yard toss-and-catch touchdown to tie the game at 10-all. 

Neither team was able to score late in regulation, and the game transitioned to overtime. ECCC won the coin toss and elected to play on defense first. The Wolves got to the Warriors' eight-yard line, but a big sack from ECCC's Trenton Ladner forced a Lofton field goal attempt. Ladner went on to block that try to give ECCC possession. After a strong defensive stand, the Warriors sent out Beauplan who clinched the game with a 27-yard game-winning field goal. 

ECCC outgained the Wolves 321 yards to 216. Hargrave finished the night 12-of-27 passing for 153 yards, while Max Rigby added 14 yards on 3-of-9 passing. Lakenith Thompson led the Co-Lin rushing attack with 53 yards on 12 carries, while Allen had 34 yards and a score. Co-Lin's receivers were led by Rogers with 77-yards on seven catches and Turner and Tyquan Henderson both racking up 34 yards. Xavier Curry and Hayden Hill both led the defense with 17 tackles each, including one sack and three tackles for loss from Hill and one and a half tackles for loss from Curry. Jalen Campbell had a stellar game as well with 16 wrap-ups. Chris Rias forced one fumble, while Kobe Windham hauled in one interception.