MGCCC needs strong play up front at Homecoming

NOTE: This story has been updated to reflect the playoff picture.

PERKINSTON — The football portion of Homecoming 2018 will likely be decided in the trenches Saturday when Hinds visits Mississippi Gulf Coast.

The Bulldogs (6-2, 3-2 MACJC South) and the Eagles (4-4, 2-3) are strong up front on both sides of the ball. Gulf Coast coach Jack Wright sees a challenge when he looks at game video.

"They've got some talented linemen, guys who are going to be moving on and playing at the next level on both sides of the line of scrimmage," he said. "That's the biggest challenge is blocking and getting off blocks up front. That's what sticks out to me, their size and their ability level up front."

The game kicks off at 2 p.m. and will be streamed at https://livestream.com/MGCCCBulldogs/events/8426725. It can be heard at SuperTalk 103.1 FM after the completion of the Ole Miss-South Carolina game.

Homecoming events have been taking place on campus all week, with alumni events starting Friday morning with the Clem Dellenger Memorial Golf Tournament and the Hall of Fame Banquet and Cheerleader Reunion that evening. There will be a Homecoming Cookout at the Bell Tower on Saturday, as well as a number of other events. A full listing, as well as links to purchase tickets, can be found at http://mgccc.edu/homecoming.

Gulf Coast has been eliminated from the playoff picture this week, but MGCCC impressed Wright in last week's win at Pearl River, battling through a physical rivalry game. He said the Bulldogs showed great effort and didn't let emotion get the better of them.

Gulf Coast's defense held PRCC to 130 yards and eight first downs, and the offense ranks third among MACJC teams in rushing. Chance Lovertich (Fr., Jackson Prep/Brandon) leads the country in quarterback efficiency. Neither of those facts happen without strong play up front, and last week the trip to Poplarville was a true test of depth.

"When you talk about the offensive line, a lot of people make the mistake of talking about just five people," Wright said. "That's not the case. You're talking about a culture, an attitude. Next man up, and there isn't much drop-off. We had two or three guys go down late against Pearl River, but credit that whole group. They were all ready to play and performed really well."

Game #9

WHO: Hinds (4-4, 2-3 MACJC South) vs. No. 15 MGCCC (5-6, 3-2 MACJC South)

WHEN: Saturday, Oct 27, 2 p.m.

WHERE: A.L. May Memorial Stadium, Perkinston

ONLINE: Watch https://livestream.com/MGCCCBulldogs/events/8426725

LISTEN: SuperTalk Mississippi 103.1 FM (after the Ole Miss-South Carolina game concludes) 

The Series

Series record: MGCCC leads 47-33-1

First Meeting: 1926

Last Meeting: Oct. 28, 2017, Hinds 28, MGCCC 21

Notes: Last year's result snapped a 12-game MGCCC win streak, the second such streak in series history (1962-1973) … The longest Hinds win streak in the series is 11 games (1988-97) … Gulf Coast has eight shutouts in the series (last time: 2007) … Hinds has nine shutouts in the series (last time: 1995) … The Bulldogs scored 63 points in 2010, and their largest margin of victory in the series is 61 points (2007, 61-0) … Hinds scored 55 points in that game, most for the Eagles in the series and their largest margin of victory

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