Wolves Run Away From Tigers

CLARKSDALE – The Co-Lin Football team returned to action with their final non-division contest at Coahoma on Saturday, October 7. The Wolves beat the Tigers, 20-6.

The Wolves got off to a fast offensive start to the game scoring on their first possession. Tray Minor (Natchez) powered the ball in from four yards out capping off a seven play, 47-yard drive that we setup by a blocked punt by Jahron Manning (New Orleans, LA). The successful PAT by Brandon Gilliam (Vicksburg) made the score, 7-0, with 11:03 left in the first quarter.

The Tigers then looked to respond on their ensuing possession as they lined up for a 44-yard field goal, but the kick was missed; however, the Wolves were called for a roughing the kicker penalty which allowed the Tigers possession to continue. Once again, the Tigers lined up for another field goal attempt, this time from 30 yards out, but the kick was blocked by Navarion Benson (Crystal Springs) and the ball was recovered by Christopher Burnett (Yazoo City) for the Wolves. However, the Wolves offense would not be able to take advantage of the momentum given by the special teams play.

The Wolves looked to add to their lead early in the second quarter but missed wide right on a 38-yard field goal keeping the score at 7-0. The Wolves defense continued to step up and make plays throughout the remainder of the second half including two interceptions, one by Benson and one by Zyrian Jackson (Hazlehurst), but the Wolves offense could not take advantage of either play to get a scoring opportunity as the score remained 7-0. Once again, the Tigers looked to cut into the lead with another field goal attempt, this time from 32 yards out, but the kick was missed wide left to end the second half with the Wolves leading 7-0.

The Wolves offense came out with the opening possession of the second half and added to their lead. Minor scored his second touchdown of the game, this time with an 11-yard rush, to end the seven play, 60-yard opening drive of the third quarter. However, the PAT was no good making the score 13-0 with 11:40 left in the quarter.

The Wolves offense carried that momentum into their next possession with another scoring drive as Johnnie Daniels (Crystal Springs) scampered in from 35 yards out ending a seven play, 92-yard drive. A successful PAT made the score 20-0 with 2:20 remaining in the third quarter.

The lone score for the Tigers came late in the fourth quarter on a 40-yard fumble recovery by their defense, but the PAT was missed giving the final of 20-6.

DeVon Tott (Mandeville, LA) finished the game with 10 completions on 19 attempts for 92 yards. The rushing attack was the dominant force for the Wolves as both running backs went over 100 yards during the game with Tray Minor leading the way with 119 yards on 20 carries with two touchdowns while Johnnie Daniels had 13 carries for 116 yards with one touchdown.

Jaylen Smith (Jacksonville, FL) led the receiving corps with five receptions for 54 yards.

Jahron Manning led the Wolves defense with 10 total tackles and had one block while Colin McGowan (Wesson) had nine total tackles. Billy Pullen (Kaufman, TX) was a force along the defensive line as he finished with six tackles including 3.5 sacks while Navarion Benson also had a big game with six total tackles, one interception, one pass breakup, and one block, and linebacker Dedric Hicks (Laurel) had six total tackles and one pass breakup.

Co-Lin improved to 4-1 overall with the win and will return to action on the road against No. 4 MGCCC on Thursday, October 12. Kickoff between the Wolves and the Bulldogs is set for 7 p.m., at A.L. May Memorial Stadium in Perkinston.