Bulldogs face Jones in key South showdown

Mississippi Gulf Coast men's soccer coach Chris Handy would like to record a big first Friday night. His Bulldogs travel to Jones County for a kickoff at 7, and his teams have never won up there.

"They've taken points from us the last two years in important playoff races," he said. "It's an important game if you have any hopes of winning south state. Not getting a result will make it an uphill climb the rest of the way."

Gulf Coast (3-2, 1-1) is coming off a 7-1 blitz of Copiah-Lincoln in Perkinston on Tuesday. That game saw six different players score, with Scottish forward James Beattie adding two more to his team-leading total of five.

Beattie is tied with Northwest's Lance Crabtree for the MACJC lead. The Gulf Coast freshman also has four assists, most in the state.

The Bobcats are 3-2 overall, 2-0 in MACJC South play. Their last three games have been 2-0 victories.

Handy said the Bulldogs need to approach the showdown with intensity.

"I think they get up to play our games," he said. "They understand how much is riding on it as well. The talent level is close. It's a tough environment and their coach does a good job. If you're not prepared, they'll take advantage."