Bulldogs prepare for Hinds

PERKINSTON — Mississippi Gulf Coast gave it's Week 2 opponent some game film to watch on the way to beating Pearl River in the season-opener last week.

The Bulldogs, however, don't have any of that for Hinds, however. It's similar to the previous week, where a new coaching staff at Poplarville meant the scouting tape closet was really bare. The Eagles had an open week to start the season, meaning there isn't 2020 film, but there will be some familiarity with coach Larry Williams entering his fourth season in charge.

"At least it's the same coaching staff, so that's a difference," Gulf Coast coach Jack Wright said. "We've got last year's tape to evaluate and give our players some direction. There's a little more comfort."

Kickoff at A.L. May Memorial Stadium is set for 7 p.m. Thursday. A limited number of tickets are still available at http://mgcccbulldogs.com/tickets, but it's expected to sell out before gameday.

The game will be streamed at https://livestream.com/mgcccbulldogs/events/9337248, and it can heard on SuperTalk 103.1 FM.

"They always throw the ball deep well," Wright said. "Ever since I've been in the league, Kelly Murphy is their offensive coordinator, and he's always going to have a threat from big receivers who can go down the field and make players. We know they have a couple of receivers who fit that mold this year. We're expecting them to test us."

Six of the eight Hinds receivers are listed at 6-feet or taller, including a couple who are 6-foot-2 and one who is 6-foot-3.

At the slightly lower point on the height spectrum is the Bulldogs' K.T. Hicks (Fr., Petal/Petal). The 5-foot-8, 155-pounder already made a mark for himself by turning a shot pass into a 67-yard touchdown to open the Bulldogs' scoring at Pearl River.

Hicks arrived at Gulf Coast as a walk-on and earned internet buzz after a video of him being awarded a scholarship before practice the last week of preseason camp.

FOOTBALL | Big surprise for @Kthicks1 at today's @MGCCC_FOOTBALL practice: pic.twitter.com/KcpKqxcS74

— MGCCC Athletics (@MGCCCBulldogs) September 28, 2020

"He came here believing in himself," Wright said. "He's an undersized slot receiver, and a lot of time coaches falsely look at a guy like that and think he too small to play. Those type of stories make you feel real good because somebody believes in themselves enough to come to a place like Gulf Coast, where it's tough to compete anyway, and not only did he earn a scholarship, he earned playing time, and in the first quarter of the first game made a huge play."

The Bulldogs played the Eagles in the final game of the 2020 regular season. The 31-21 victory in Raymond clinched the MACJC South title, starting a string of three games that saw the Bulldogs win division, state and national championships.

Gulf Coast hopes to move to 2-0 on the season Thursday, but the Bulldogs have plenty of improving to do.

"There were a lot of mistakes (against Pearl River), a lot of little stuff," Wright said. "Ball security is the big one. We put the ball on the ground and got fortunate with a couple of those. That's every skill position: quarterback, running back, receivers. Tackling on the perimeter is one. Inside the tackle box, we tackled pretty well, but we need to improve on the perimeter. I'm glad we got the win and were able to clean up things after the victory." 

Game #2

WHO: Hinds (0-0) vs. MGCCC (1-0)

WHEN: Thursday, Oct. 8, 7 p.m.

WHERE: A.L. May Memorial Stadium, Perkinston

WATCH: https://livestream.com/mgcccbulldogs/events/9337248

LISTEN: SuperTalk 103.1 FM

The Series

Series record: 84th meeting, Gulf Coast leads 49-33-1

First Meeting: 1926

Last Meeting: Nov. 8, 2019, MGCCC 31, Hinds 21

Notes: Gulf Coast has won 14 of the last 15 meetings, dating back to 2005 … Gulf Coast is averaging 40.1 points in that span, Hinds 18.1 … Gulf Coast has eight shutouts in its 48 wins, the last of which came in 2016 (34-0) … Hinds has nine shutouts in its 33 wins, the last of which came in 1995 (55-0) … Gulf Coast has two 12-game win streaks in the series (1962-73, 2005-16) … Hinds longest win streak is 10 (1988-97) … The biggest Gulf Coast win in the series was a 61-0 win in 2007, while the biggest Hinds win came in 1995 (55-0).

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