MGCCC getting better through battles

PERKINSTON — Mississippi Gulf Coast learned a lot about itself after a season-opening blowout of Mississippi Delta.

The Bulldogs will take those lessons and apply them this week when they make the long trip to Clarksdale to play Coahoma. Kickoff on Thursday is at 7 p.m. at James E. Miller Stadium.

The game will be streamed at http://coahomasports.com/watch.

Gulf Coast has won 19 of 21 meetings between the two teams. Coahoma has won one, and one was counted as a loss because the teams used ineligible players.

The Bulldogs have had to adjust their schedule this week, first because of the Labor Day holiday Monday. They went early Monday, then turned around and did it again Tuesday when classes were canceled because of the approaching tropical weather.

The team had already planned to head north on Thursday, and they'll adjust their Wednesday schedule as needed around weather issues. Classes are also canceled then.

"We have some competition," Gulf Coast coach Jack Wright said. "We've got a lot of people who deserve to touch the football on offense, and that we've got some guys who deserve to be out there a lot on defense. We've got multiple ongoing position battles is the best way to put it."

The battles Wright talked about figure to continue week to week at some positions, and it's not a situation where the coaches are searching for answers. They have capable people everywhere, which Wright says is a credit to the depth of the roster.

It also means the players will have to continue to prove themselves on the field in practice to earn playing time.

"At the end of the day, that'll make the Bulldogs better," he said.

Wright points to one example on his team, running back Omni Wells (Fr., Moss Point/Moss Point). Wells walked on last year and redshirted. Far from seeing it as a dead end, he used it as an opportunity and continue to work hard.

Wells ran eight times for 40 yards. He also achieved one notable personal and team milestone.

"After a full year of that, that paid off and he scored the first touchdown of the year for the Bulldogs," Wright said. "I just want to point out his commitment to the sport and to himself. He's fulfilling a promise he made to himself. He's been able to follow through for him and his family and make them proud and himself proud." 

Game #2

WHO: MGCCC (1-0) at Coahoma (0-1)

WHEN: Thursday, Sept. 6, 7 p.m.

WHERE: James E. Miller Stadium, Clarksdale

ONLINE: Watch http://coahomasports.com/watch

LISTEN: SuperTalk Mississippi 103.1 FM

The Series

Series record: Gulf Coast leads 19-2

First Meeting: 1975

Last Meeting: August 29, 2013, MGCCC 63, Coahoma 14

Notes: Gulf Coast has won three straight in the series, dating back to 2011 … The Bulldogs are averaging 53.7 points in the streak, allowing 9.3 points … Gulf Coast has registered 8 shutouts in its 19 victories … Both teams were credited with losses for the 1990 game, which Gulf Coast won on the field 21-0. Both used ineligible players.