Even though the past two weeks have not gone in the favor of Southwest's Football team as far as wins and losses, the team has played a much-improved brand of football, quickly getting over its tough outing on Oct. 5 against East Central.
 
Now the Bears are hoping to carry that momentum over to Thursday on a quick turnaround as they travel to Poplarville to face Pearl River who celebrates Homecoming.
 
"We're good, yesterday (Monday) we might have had the best practice that we have had all year," Southwest head coach Cliff Collins said. "We had a few more guys come out and they got after each other. I was pleased with yesterday's practice."
 
Considering the challenges that the Bears (1-6, 0-5 MACCC) are facing, Collins believes his team is currently playing their best brand of football at this point in the season.
 
"With what we have, I definitely agree with that. The guys play hard," he said. "We can't do anything about injuries. I do like where we are as a program as far as our mindset, our energy, being positive and not letting the things that we can't control affect us. I told them, don't hang your head down, come back and let's get ready for Pearl River."
 
The Wildcats (0-7, 0-4 MACCC) boast a run-heavy offense led by redshirt sophomore Kayvon Barnes who enters the game with 96 rushes for 426 yards and two touchdowns. Quarterback Ty Hullette has also shown to be a threat on the ground with 54 carries for 197 yards and a score. Through the air, he is completing 56% of his passes. As far as receivers, Marquis McCoy leads in that category with 21 catches for 241 yards and two touchdowns.
 
As far as getting prepared with only four days to work with as opposed to a week, Collins said he already had a plan in place.
 
"Wel,l coaches already had everything broken down and we came in on Sunday and had a quick team meeting," he said. "Then we practice Monday and Tuesday which are shorter, but we are ready to roll. It is not as hard as you think it is." 
 
The Bears will once again rely on the arm of Amarien Jefferson and the legs of Tyler Reed to help lead the charge as far as quarterback and running back, respectively. As far as receivers, Southwest, in recent weeks, has had a number of players step their game up from La'Jarion Martin who led the team in receiving against Jones with six catches for 90 yards, Demarcus Brown and leading receiver Tavaris Henshaw.
 
Southwest's defense has also seen a few players step up, especially in the linebacker corps, with Jeffery Polk Jr, Wil'Tayvious Herbert and Ethan Williams all having good outings over the past two weeks.
 
Collins adds that getting a win Thursday will be huge for the Bears who are looking to make a final push during the home stretch of the season.
 
"It is going to be big because it will be our second win," he said. "It will be big for us."
 
The Bears and the Wildcats kick off at 7 p.m. from Dobie Holden Stadium.