Regulators spark 41-0 win for No. 6 Gulf Coast

PERKINSTON — A dominant effort from The Regulators paved the way for No. 6 Mississippi Gulf Coast's 41-0 win over Hinds on Saturday. A pair of third-quarter interceptions by LaDareyen Craig got the offense rolling, and the Bulldogs pulled away late.

"We kept getting opportunities offensive, and eventually we got something going," Gulf Coast coach Jack Wright said. "But that is really just a credit to our defense to give us those chances. A bunch of short fields for us on offense, and we've battled against that some this year, so it felt good to be on the other side of that today." 

Gulf Coast is now 58-34 in Homecoming games, having won five straight. The Bulldogs has won 17 of the last 19 against Hinds.

Gulf Coast (7-1, 4-1 MACCC South) scored touchdowns on five of its last six possessions to put the game away. Three of those drives were less than 30 yards, set up by the Craig picks and a blocked punt by Jaylon Blakely (Fr., Senatobia/Senatobia).

The Bulldogs defense held Hinds (3-5, 3-2) to just 109 total yards. The Eagles threw for only 11 yards, going 1-for-14 with two interceptions 

Montrell Chapman (Fr., Batesville/South Panola) led Gulf Coast with seven total tackles. Javen Gibson (Fr., Church Point, La/Church Point) had four tackles, one sack, a pass breakup and two quarterback hurries.

Jalen Davis (So., Houston, Texas/Katy) ran for 93 yards and two touchdowns. The Bulldogs ran for 204 yards, and Eli Anderson (So., Philadelphia/Neshoba Central) completed 23-of-37 passes for 206 yards and three touchdowns.

Jay Dupree (So., Philadelphia, Miss./Neshoba Central) had eight catches for 96 yards and a score. Ramone Bradley (So., Fairhope, Ala./Fairhope) and Doodah Fletcher (So., Fresno, Calif./Manor) had touchdown catches.

Gabriel Showalter (So., St. Martin/St. Martin) made both field goal attempts.

Gulf Coast was only up 6-0 at halftime, and the offense didn't pick up a first down on its first possession. Hinds went to for a big play with a flea flicker, but it didn't fool Craig. 

"I saw my receiver run back to the other side, and I knew it was a trick," he said. "I just had to get back as far as I could. The ball came to me. When I looked up, I was looking at the end zone."

He didn't make it that far, but a 45-yard return set up a 28-yard drive punctuated by Bradley's TD catch. Craig's second pick came two possessions later. 

"They had a new quarterback in, so I baited him in my zone," he said. "He ended up throwing it, and I broke on it to make a play."

A short return gave the offense a 25-yard field, and it was quickly 20-0 after Davis' first touchdown.

"I feel like I'm home again," he said. "I was always used to scoring touchdowns, so I'm back to feeling the normal feeling again."

After that, the rout was on, and the Bulldogs were able to play a lot of players. Davis had only one rush before Homecoming, and Fletcher got his first score of the season.

"It was really some of our younger guys who started making plays," Wright said. "They've been working really hard all year. Doodah Fletcher, and Jalen Davis, they haven't gotten a lot of attention and touches, but they've been right there at practice working really hard. I've been telling them all year they'd get their chance, and I'm tickled they did it."

Gulf Coast will close out the regular season with a trip to No. 4 Jones on Thursday. The Bobcats were upset by Mississippi Delta on Saturday, but it doesn't change the playoff scenario for either team.

The Bulldogs need a win to make it to the postseason, as does Jones. 

"They'll be up and ready to go for us because of the playoff implications at their place," Wright said. "Our kids will be ready and charged up. It'll be a great game. It's Jones and Gulf Coast for the South. It seems to happen every year."

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