Bears to travel to Co-Lin

Looking to play the role of spoilers, the Bears try for win number three Saturday as they travel to Wesson to serve as homecoming guests of their arch-rivals, the Co-Lin Wolves.

The Bears enter the game at 2-5 overall (1-3 in the MACJC South) after a tough 47-35 home loss to Mississippi Gulf Coast. Co-Lin comes in at 5-2 and 2-2 after a 35-21 win over then #15 Holmes.

Bears' head coach Tucker Peavey always stresses that the next game on the schedule is just that, the next game on the schedule, and that this game is no bigger than any other. While he is certain the rivalry aspect and chance to play spoiler will be in the players' minds, he does "not know how much of a difference it makes."

"You harp on that 'next game on the schedule' not matter the circumstances," Peavey said, "but hopefully it (the rivalry/homecoming spoiler aspect) adds a little focus. We'll certainly mention it throughout the week. You just want them (the Bears) to prepare they best they can and then go out and play their best."

Co-Lin enters the game giving up less than 200 yards per game on the ground and under 100 via the air. The Bears, coming in off their two best performances of the year, are picking up almost 180 on the ground and just over 188 through the air. What will it take for them to put up big numbers once again?

"First and foremost," Peavey said, "we can't turn the ball over. We've just got to keep executing. They're (Co-Lin) by far the best defense we will have seen to this point and it'll take 11 guys doing their job consistently to have a chance to move the ball. (Co-Lin) is going to make their plays, but, at the end of the day, we've got to make ours."

Other than not turning the ball over, Peavey said in order for the Bears to get a win, "we've got to be able to protect the quarterback. Whenever we do need to throw, we've got to be able to protect him and the receivers have got to do what they have to do to get open. What we hope to be able to do is be balanced and keep ourselves out of long-yardage situations because that's what they tend to thrive on because they're so good up front on defense."

Co-Lin's offense is averaging under 200 yards through the air and just over 100 on the ground. When asked how his defense will keep those numbers down, defensive coordinator Kelby Bowman said, "week in and week out, we have to control what we can control as far as our alignments and assignments."

"There's no doubt Co-Lin is a good football team," Bowman said. "It's a big game for both of us and I think our kids just have to make sure they're prepared as best (as they can be) with the extra days (we have) to get prepared."

Asked where the biggest threat is in the Co-Lin offense, Bowman said, "Of course, it starts at the quarterback. They have a kid (Dominic DeLira-6'1", 190) who is smart and very poised and can throw the ball well. He seems like he operates their offense well so he's probably going to be the one who poses the biggest threat."

"But," Bowman went on, "overall, they have a good running back and offensive line. They are (the same) Co-Lin they are every year. They're loaded with talent on offense. So, as far as us, we can't focus on one guy more than another (and) can't focus on one thing more than another. We just have to be sound and make sure we take care of both phases on defense (run and pass)."

Kickoff is set for 3:00 at Stone Stadium. The game can be heard on the radio on WAKH 105.7FM (K106), on the internet at southwestbearathletics.com and k106.net and on smartphones (download the k106 app).

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Bears to travel to Co-Lin