The Bears close out the home portion of their schedule Thursday night as they host their arch-rivals, the Co-Lin Wolves, in an MACJC South Division matchup.
 
Co-Lin comes into the game at 3-4 overall (1-3 in the South) after last week's 35-27 loss to Holmes. The Bears are 0-7 (0-4) after a 52-13 defeat at Gulf Coast.
 
Bears head coach Tucker Peavey expects Co-Lin to be "a hungry team" when they travel to Summit. "They're competitors, they want to win," Peavey said. "They have a lot of talent in some key places. They've been extremely good on defense all year and I expect a highly competitive and intense football game."
 
What will it take for the Bears to come out on top this week? Peavey said his team has to be "consistent on offense. We've got to battle with some position changes and some substitution issues that we have right now. But, at the end of the day, we've got to play hard, we've got to eliminate the turnovers and we're going to have to play very solid on special teams."
 
Despite the four losses, Co-Lin comes into the game with one of the more stingy defenses the Bears' offense has seen, giving up only 112 yards in the air and just over 170 on the ground.
 
To combat that, offensive coordinator Cam Achord said "We've got to be able to run the football, as always. But, I think the biggest thing is, last week we had some key plays we just didn't make and we've got to make those. When the play presents itself, we've got to execute and make that play."
 
"I think that's what Co-Lin does a great job of," Achord continued. "They let you get a few things here and there and (when) you try to take advantage, they take advantage of your mistakes. For us, we can't make any mistakes offensively and we need to put together some drives and take what they give us."
 
As with their offense, Co-Lin brings one of the more balanced offenses the Bears will face, currently picking up 158.7 yards per game via the pass and just over 188 on the ground. So, how will the Bears' defense slow down or stop either aspect of such an offense?
 
"It's always a must that we stop the run first," said defensive coordinator Kelby Bowman. After playing Gulf Coast and Pear River in back-to-back weeks, Bowman said the Bears have "seen a pretty good amount of run and different type runs. All we can do now is take what we've seen the previous weeks and apply it to this game."
 
"Co-Lin does have a good offense," Bowman stated. "They want to try to establish the run game. They're running the ball a lot more than what I expected, but in no way, shape, form or fashion can we ignore the fact that they can (also) throw the ball."
 
"They're very balanced," Bowman continued. "They have a good quarterback who's very athletic. Not only can he throw the ball, but he can run it, as well." Woody Barrett (6' 2", 230) completed 76 of 153 passes for 945 yards and four touchdowns (with only one interception) and leads the team with 465 rushing yards, and six scores, on 99 carries.
 
"Co-Lin will give us a lot of different looks, a lot of different formations," Bowman went on. "They use a tight end a lot (TK McClendon-6' 3", 240). He's probably one of their key players who makes a lot of big plays as well as their quarterback and running back." Deion Dampier-5' 10", 220, is second on the team with 401 rushing yards and a pair of touchdowns).
 
Despite the daunting task before them, Bowman said, "It's the next football game. It's junior college football (and) you've got to be ready to play week in and week out. We'll be ready."
 
Kickoff at John I. Hurst Stadium is set for 6:30. The game will be broadcast on WAKH 105.7 FM (K106) as well as on the internet on k106.net and southwestbearathelics.com.