Top-15 showdown set for Perkinston

PERKINSTON — If you want to get your money's worth at a football game this week, Mississippi Gulf Coast coach Jack Wright recommends you be at A.L. May Memorial Stadium.

No. 4 Gulf Coast (3-0) takes on No. 13 Jones (2-1) in a titanic confrontation.

"It's definitely going to be a classic MACJC South matchup," Wright said. "It's two quality programs with a lot of history. There's a very storied past between these two ballclubs. I just expect a classic game between these two teams Thursday night."

Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. The game will be streamed at http://mgcccbulldogs.com/stream and can be heard on SuperTalk 103.1-FM.

It's the first South Division game for the Bulldogs, who rolled through their North opponents 126-22. The Bobcats defeated then-No. 12 Hinds 31-7 last week, having rebounded after a shocking 18-10 loss to Coahoma in the opener.

"They just do everything well," Wright said. "They're good against the run. They contest every ball that is thrown. There's nobody running wide open. They don't give up a lot of separation in the secondary. They pressure the quarterback. Offensively, they run the football. Their quarterback (Quaterius Hawkins) was 8-of-9 passing, so they're not a pass-first team, but they're very efficient when they throw it. That's a winning formula."

Freshman running back Ladamian Webb ran for 126 yards and two scores and caught three passes for 56 yards and another touchdown. He was named MACJC Offensive Player of the Week, meaning he'll line up against the league's Defensive Player of the Week, linebacker Mike Smith. Smith had 10 tackles and a fumble return for a touchdown in a 41-7 win at Holmes.

"We feel good. We have a lot of confidence," Wright said. "We're extremely glad we're playing at home in front of our home crowd. We'll take any advantage we can get in games like this. Our kids have worked hard, and they know the importance of this game. I'm anxious to see what happens."

Gulf Coast's defense has allowed only two touchdowns this year, and one of those came on a short drive following a long turnover return. The Bulldogs will face a stiffer test this week, but they're getting strong play throughout the secondary by T.J. Ficklin (So., Brandon/Brandon).

At 6-2, 200 pounds, he's fast enough and strong enough to play corner and safety. Gulf Coast also isn't afraid to bring him down into the box as an extra linebacker.

"Ficklin in his heart of hearts he's a football player," Wright said. "He loves the game. He had an unbelievable offseason. He has more energy than any person I've ever been around. At the end of every workout, he's the one person who's still high energy getting everybody hyped up when they're gassed and ready to get it over with. He brings a lot of energy to the team."

Game #4

WHO: No. 13 Jones (2-1) at No. 4 MGCCC (3-0)

WHEN: Thursday, Sept. 19, 7 p.m.

WHERE: A.L. May Memorial Stadium, Perkinston

WATCH: http://mgcccbulldogs.com/stream

LISTEN: SuperTalk Mississippi 103.1 FM or http://mgcccbulldogs.com/audio

The Series

Series record: Gulf Coast leads 43-46-6

First Meeting: 1929

Last Meeting: Sept. 20, 2018, Jones 16, MGCCC 13

Notes: Jones has won three straight in the series, dating back to 2016 … The Bobcats are averaging 27.3 points in the streak, Gulf Coast 13.8 … 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 … Jones is one of only two MACJC schools Gulf Coast has a losing record against (Pearl River).

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