No. 6 Bulldogs need win at No. 10 Jones for another South title

PERKINSTON — If No. 6 Mississippi Gulf Coast wants to extend its school-record streak of four MACCC South championships, the Bulldogs will face a familiar foe in their final step of the regular season.

Gulf Coast travels to Ellisville on Thursday to play No. 10 Jones, a traditional checkpoint on the way to a title. The two teams have tied for the South title the last two years, and Gulf Coast faced must-win scenarios against the Bobcats both years. 

"I've told them to just play really well and worry about us," Gulf Coast coach Jack Wright said. "We want to play a high level, take care of the football and not make mistakes. All we want to do is worry about us playing well."

Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. at Sim Cooley Field. The game will be streamed at https://jcbobcats.com/ and the MGCCC radio broadcast can be heard at https://mgcccbulldogs.com/watch or on SuperTalk 103.1 FM.

Tickets are available at https://jcbobcats.com/tickets and they're cheaper purchased online than at the gate. They cost $10 online and $15 at the gate.

Gulf Coast (7-1, 4-1 MACCC South) is looking to hand the Bobcats (6-2, 5-0) their first division loss. Unless Hinds upsets No. 5 Copiah-Lincoln, the Bulldogs must win to make the postseason.

Jones is coming off a 36-33 upset loss to Mississippi Delta on Saturday, and both teams are coming off Homecoming-induced short weeks of preparation.

"They have an incredible quarterback, and their offense is incredibly balanced," Wright said. "They're not giving up a lot of yards or points all year. We have a lot of common opponents, and they've fared well against all of them."

Gulf Coast scored 35 points in the second half of their 41-0 win over Hinds. The defense sparked the explosion, keyed by a pass defense which had two interceptions and allowed only 11 yards.

Sophomore defensive back Cary Grant has been a key contributor for the Bulldogs.

"Cary has been a steady force in the secondary all year," he said. "We gave up one pass completion last Saturday. That whole group played really well, and he's a key part of that. He plays his role. When the ball comes his way, he's going to make a play. He's going to make sure he doesn't make any mistakes. He's a heady football player, a great kid, and I'm proud he's here."

Game #9

WHO: No. 10 Jones 6-2, 5-0 MACCC South) vs. No. 6 Gulf Coast (7-1, 4-1 MACCC South)

WHEN: Thursday, Nov. 2, 7 p.m.

WHERE: Sim Cooley Field, Ellisville

WATCH: https://jcbobcats.com/watch

LISTEN: https://mgcccbulldogs.com/watch or SuperTalk Mississippi 103.1 FM

The Series

Series record: The series is tied 47-46-6

First Meeting: 1929

Last Meeting: Oct. 27, 2022, Gulf Coast 38, Jones 24

Notes: Gulf Coast has a four-game winning streak in the series … Gulf Coast has registered nine shutouts in its 43 victories … Jones has registered 13 shutouts in its 46 wins … Gulf Coast won eight straight in the series between 2005 and 2011 … Gulf Coast beat Jones 42-3 in 2014, the most-lopsided result in the series.

MACCC Playoff Scenarios

North Tie-Breaker Scenarios

Scenario 1

East Mississippi Wins:

• East Mississippi wins North Division Championship and No. 1 playoff seed.
• The winner of the Northeast at Northwest game receives the No. 2 playoff seed by virtue of head-to-head competition.

Scenario 2

East Mississippi Loses:

• East Mississippi is North Division Co-Champions and receives the No. 1 playoff seed.
• The winner of the Northeast at Northwest game is North Division Co-Champions and receives the No. 2 playoff seed by virtue of head-to-head competition.

South Tie-Breaker Scenarios

Scenario 1:

Jones and Co-Lin Win:

• Jones wins South Division Championship and receives No. 1 playoff seed.
• Co-Lin receives No. 2 playoff seed.

Scenario 2:

Gulf Coast and Co- Lin Win:

This would create a three-way tie.

All three teams will be South Division Co-Champions. By rule:

• Division Standings shall be determined by the following criteria:

1. Division record of the team
2. Head-to-head competition during the season by the teams (i.e. winner of the regular season game).
3. Overall record of the team (conference) in the case of a three (3) team or a four (4) team tie, the overall record will be used to determine the champion and the runner up. Once the tie has been broken, it will move back to head-to-head competition.
4. Point spread versus common opponents played during the season.

Overall records:

• Gulf Coast: 8-1
• Co-Lin: 8-1
• Jones: 6-3

• Jones would be eliminated from playoffs.
• Co-Lin receives the No. 1 playoff seed by virtue of win against Gulf Coast.
• Gulf Coast receives No. 2 playoff seed.

Scenario 3:

Jones wins and Co-Lin loses:

• Jones win South Division Championship and receives No. 1 playoff seed.
• There is a three-way tie for second place between Gulf Coast, Co-Lin and Hinds.
• Head-to-head is even at 1-1.
• Overall record eliminates Hinds.
• Co-Lin receives No. 2 seed based on head-to-head win over Gulf Coast.

Scenario 4:

Jones and Co-Lin lose:

• Gulf Coast and Jones are South Division co-champions.
• Gulf Coast receives No. 1 playoff seed based on head-to-head win against Jones.
• Jones receives No. 2 playoff seed.

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