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Football Michael D. Gunnell, Southwest Sports Information

Bears travel to 5th-ranked Jones County

Denied a shot at a victory by Mother Nature last week, the Southwest Bears return to the gridiron this week as they travel to Ellisville to visit the 5th-ranked Jones County Bobcats. The game marks the first MACJC South Division contest for both teams.
 
Jones County stands at 2-0 after last week's 35-14 home win over Itawamba. The Bears are 0-1 after a season-opening loss at home to top-ranked East Mississippi. Their home game last week against Mississippi Delta was called a no-contest due to lightning in the area.
 
The Bobcats defeated Southwest 31-10 in 2013.
 
Southwest head coach Tucker Peavey said the Bobcats "are a highly-ranked team, they're undefeated and they're the defending South Division champion so they're a good football team. I don't think they're going to change a whole lot from what we've seen them do so far this year (and last). They've got good players and good coaches and we'll have to play a good game to beat them.

Asked if the circumstances of last Thursday night will have any effect on his players, Peavey said he did not think it would. "The only thing you lose," he said, "is that day of getting (on the field) and (playing) for the full length of the game. We're moving on from it. It was a Thursday night game just like any other one and now we're back getting ready for the next one."
 
The Bobcats have given up only 168 yards per contest thus far (only 38.5 on the ground). Bears' offensive coordinator Jamie Everett said "to me it's a typical Jones County football team. They've got a good bit of talent and they're going to be very sound and very well coached."
 
Everett said it would take "execution and playing four full quarters" in order for his unit to be successful. The way they're set up, they don't make mistakes they capitalize off your mistakes. So, in order for us to be successful, we've got to be mistake-free."
 
Southwest defensive coordinator Kelby Bowman said the Jones County offense "seldom makes mistakes. They've got two guys at quarterback (sophomores Kenny Coleman and Steven Swindle) who are good athletes, especially (Coleman). He's got the ability to scramble around and make some plays. Their receivers can catch the ball (and) their offensive linemen are a pretty good bunch."
 
"I think we're going to have to defend the pass a little more this week," Bowman said. Coleman has completed 65.5% of his passes through two games (36 of 55 479 yards with four touchdowns and two interceptions), although they are a 50-50 team. But, you've always got in mind that you've got to stop the run first (and) force them to throw the ball. Then you've got to defend the pass, also."
 
Bear's special teams coordinator Cameron Achord said Jones County "has a really good kicker (Cole Byrd). He usually kicks the ball about two-three yards deep in the end zone (but) sometimes they'll hang it up there. So, you never know what he may or may not mishit one or they may just 'sky it up'. They've also got a really good kickoff return unit (averaging 30.3 yards per return). We've just got to cover with speed, get down there and hopefully contain (the returners). "
 
Achord said "hopefully, there'll be some excitement" from the Southwest special teams units. "We're just excited to get back on the field and hopefully (will) have a chance to take a (kickoff or punt) return back and just be sound in the coverage game."
 
Kickoff is set for 7:00 Thursday night at Bobcat Stadium. Southwest fans can listen to the contest on WAKH 105.7 FM (K106) as well as on the internet at k106.net or southwestbearathletics.com. The game will also be available on smart phones by downloading the k106 app.
 
 
 
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