MGCCC renews PRCC rivalry

PERKINSTON — Mississippi Gulf Coast and Pearl River will meet for the 96^th time Saturday in Poplarville.

It will be new Bulldogs coach Jack Wright's first time to participate, but he is not unfamiliar with the rivalry.

"This is my first time, but it's something I'm aware of," he said. "I'm aware of the history. I'm aware of the hard feelings between the schools over time, especially on gameday. I'm looking forward to experiencing it firsthand. I've seen the films (while coaching elsewhere), and I can feel the emotions and intensity coming through when you watch it from the outside in."

Kickoff for the Wildcats' homecoming is set for 2 p.m. at Dobie Holden Field. The game will be streamed by Pearl River at http://mgcccbulldogs.com/stream and you can listen to the MGCCC radio broadcast at https://livestream.com/MGCCCBulldogs/events/8414763. The game will be joined in progress on SuperTalk Mississippi 103.1 FM after the Ole Miss-Auburn football game.

Gulf Coast (5-2, 2-2 MACJC South) has won its last two games by a combined score of 83-21. The Bulldogs are still alive for a postseason berth, and the only they can control is beating the Wildcats.

Pearl River (1-6, 1-4) got its first win last week. The Wildcats are led by sophomore running back Ron Thompson, who is averaging 106.1 yards per game and has scored five total touchdowns. He had two rushing touchdowns in the first half of last week's 37-9 victory over Southwest.

"Ron Thompson is a dangerous running back," Wright said. "He probably has more explosive runs from the line of scrimmage than anybody I've seen in this league in a long time. When he gets in the open field, he's dangerous. He's hard to bring down. He's really good in tight spaces, too. We definitely have a challenge to rein him in and contain him Saturday."

There's one part of the Gulf Coast defense that's elevated its game recently, which will go a long way to slowing down Thompson. Jacobi Hearn (So., Clinton/Clinton), Darius Townsend (So., Laurel/Laurel) and Corey Proctor (So., Brandon/Brandon) are sophomores who are flexing their muscles.

"I'm really pleased with our linebacker play, especially the veterans: Jacobi, Darius and Corey," Wright said. "They've been really good all year, but it seems like of late they've taken more of a leadership role, they've taken more ownership of this team. I'm really pleased with their attitude and their performance all year long, and it's only getting better."

Game #8

WHO: No. 19 MGCCC (5-2, 2-2 MACJC South) vs. Pearl River (1-6, 1-4)

WHEN: Saturday, Oct 20, 2 p.m.

WHERE: Dobie Holden Stadium, Poplarville

ONLINE: Watch http://mgcccbulldogs.com/stream or listen to the MGCCC radio broadcast at https://livestream.com/MGCCCBulldogs/events/8414763

LISTEN: SuperTalk Mississippi 103.1 FM

The Series

Series record: PRCCC leads 55-39-1

First Meeting: 1926

Last Meeting: Oct. 21, 2017, PRCC 31, MGCCC 27

Notes: Last year's result snapped a six-game MGCCC win streak, and Gulf Coast has won 10 of the last 12 … The six-game streak was the longest for MGCCC in the series … PRCC won 17 straight between 1949 and 1965 … Gulf Coast has seven shutouts in the series, Pearl River 19 … Gulf Coast's most points scored is 55, but the Bulldogs are 1-1 (55-47 win in 2005, 61-55 loss in 1997)

For more information on MGCCC's 10 intercollegiate athletic teams, follow @MGCCCBulldogs on Twitter and MGCCCBulldogs on Facebook, and go to mgcccbulldogs.com.