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Football Game Day

Football Michael D. Gunnell, Southwest Sports Information

Bears to host Hinds Eagles

Two teams in need of a win meet on the field Thursday night as the Bears host MACJC South Division foe Hinds Community College in Summit.
 
The Bears come into the game with a 1-2 mark (0-1 in the South) after a tough 28-21 loss at East Central. Hinds also enters the game 1-2 (0-1) after they also suffered a tough defeat, 28-25 to Jones College.
 
Bears head coach/offensive coordinator Tim Stowers said Hinds "has always been very fundamentally sound in what they do (defensively); it's difficult to move the ball on them because they're very athletic and they adhere to their basic fundamentals and techniques. They've got a rich tradition of football and we expect nothing less when we play them Thursday night here at home."
 
After three weeks of the season, Hinds is allowing just over 240 yards passing per game and only 129 rushing. Asked if that will have any effect on the Bears' game plan, Stowers said, "At this point and time, we're not a great rushing team by any stretch of the imagination. We're going to try to gradually improve as we go along."
 
"I've been a little bit surprised with how effective we've been in the passing game," Stowers continued. "We've been fairly effective so far this year so if we can get the running game up to snuff, but at the same time throw the ball a little bit (we can) keep people honest."
 
Stowers' listed two keys to a win for the Bears this week. "If I could have one Christmas wish," he said, "it would be (to have) no turnovers. (Also) we've got to play four quarters and it'll probably come down to the fourth quarter. If we keep our end of the bargain, it'll probably come down to the last play in the fourth quarter."
 
Looking at the Hinds offense, Bears' defensive coordinator Kelby Bowman said "they have traditionally been a spread team; they like to throw the ball around. They've had some really good receivers in the past as well as this year. I wouldn't expect anything different from them."
 
"They're going to try to establish the run, as well," Bowman said. "They've got three solid running backs that can come in and rotate." Also, Bowman said, "They've got a returning quarterback (who) has a strong arm (Tylan Mortan-6' 4", 210, sophomore) and can throw the ball very well. We're going to expect a high percentage of pass, but my defensive staff knows they can run the ball as well."
 
Hinds has struggled on offense to this point. They come into Thursday night picking up 189 passing yards per game while running for only 35 yards per game. However, Bowman said the opponent's struggles would have no bearing on his plans.
 
"Everybody's going to get better as the weeks go by," he said. "You can look at what they did the previous week and make a decision (on your game plan); if you do that, you're pretty much wrong."
 
"They'll be a lot better this week than they were last week," Bowman reiterated, "so we can't look at what they've done in the past. We've just got to look at what's possible and we know it's possible (for them) to put up high yardage are the running back position. They'll be better this week (and) hopefully our guys will be better, as well."
 
The game is set for a 7:00 kickoff at John I. Hurst Stadium. The game will be broadcast on WAKH 105.7FM, k106.net, the k106 app and streamed live on southwestbearathletics.com.
 
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