Bears to renew rivalry with Co-Lin tonight in Wesson

For the second time in a month, the Southwest Bears take to the road to face the top-ranked football team in the NJCAA. This week, they travel to Wesson to take on their arch-rivals, the Co-Lin Wolves, on Thursday night.

Co-Lin enters the game at 3-0 (this will be the MACJC South Division opener for the Wolves) after last week's 58-14 win at Mississippi Delta. The Bears come in at 1-2 (0-1 South) following a 27-14 home loss to Jones County.

Southwest head coach Tucker Peavey said the Wolves "are talented enough that they can do whatever they want to (on defense). They can lock you up and play man coverage and get pressure on the quarterback with their four down people (and) they can blitz you whenever they want to. They have that freedom because of the talent level that they have."

Peavey said the Bears' biggest problem to date is that "we've made mistakes ourselves, not necessarily because of what the other team has done. We had way too many missed assignments last Thursday (against Jones County) and against a team like Co-Lin, you won't have a chance if you're doing that. Hopefully we can iron those things out and we'll have to play a solid football game" in order to win. "They're very talented and skilled at every position and I think very deserving of their ranking."

Addressing the rivalry factor, Peavey referred to last year's 45-35 Southwest win, saying, "Certainly they're going to talk about it all week because of what the "penalty" is if they do lose as far as their ranking goes." But, he said, "I think once the ball gets snapped it becomes the next football game and the motivation throughout the week hopefully drives us, and I'm sure it will for them, to work hard and prepare the best they can for the game."

Bears' defensive coordinator Kelby Bowman said he expects the Wolves "to do what they've done the past few games. They were very effective running the ball and throwing the ball the past two games. They have a good offensive line." In fact, Bowman said, "I would say their offensive line is probably going to be the best in this league."

Bowman said the Wolves' quarterback (Garrett Kruzcek-6' 2", 185) is a good thrower (and has) a good arm. Also, they have some running backs that are very effective running the ball and catching it. So, I expect to see a good Co-Lin football team. I expect to see them do exactly what they're going to do and that's throw the ball with the ability to run the ball."

"As far as us countering what they do," Bowman went on, "We just have to make sure we play sound football, that we're fundamentally sound and we line up correctly and get our right checks and reads against their offense."

Kickoff for the South Division matchup is set for 7:00 at Stone Stadium. The game can be heard on WAKH 105.7FM, on the internet at southwestbearathletics.com and k106.net and on smart phones (by downloading the k106 app).

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Bears to renew rivalry with Co-Lin tonight in Wesson