After falling just short to the No. 10 Northwest Rangers last Thursday, the Bears are hoping to turn things around during Homecoming 2024 as they welcome in the Hinds Eagles on Saturday.

The Bears (0-6, 0-3 MACCC South) will face a Hinds (1-5, 1-2 MACCC South) team that is coming off of its first win of the season, slipping past Jones 17-16 at home on Thursday. Southwest head coach Cliff Collins said that he believes his team is not only ready to compete but extra motivated to win with it being Homecoming.

"We have some great young men," he said. "Despite our record, these guys come in with great spirits. We were on fall break and they came in Monday night and got a lift in. We had an extra practice Tuesday morning and it was probably one of the best practices that we had defensively. The energy and the effort…I just want to thank those guys for that."

After watching game film on the Eagles, Collins noticed that they run a spread type of defense with some 12 personnel mixed in. Hinds has a two-headed monster at quarterback in sophomore Nassir Donohoo (21-of-43, 231 yards, 1 touchdown, 3 interceptions) and freshman Jabari Watson (38-of-79 358 yards, 4 touchdowns, 2 interceptions). Freshamn Julius Bradley leads the ground game with 194 yards on 67 carries while sophomore Tyrell Pollard is the leading pass catcher with 18 for 201 yards and 2 touchdowns.

Collins adds that he is very familiar with Hinds head coach Larry Williams as he was once a member of Williams' staff at Hinds earlier in his coaching career.

The Bears boast a two-quarterback system as well with sophomore Quez Goss and freshman Henry Brewer who have each thrown for 5 touchdowns thus far this season. On the ground the duo of sophomore Jalen Williams (59 carries, 192 yards, 3 touchdowns) and Chris Hunter (47 carries, 159 yards, 2 touchdowns) lead the charge. Damarrco Blanton (34 receptions, 296 yards, 2 touchdowns and Marcellus Jackson (33 receptions, 575 yards, 5 touchdowns) lead the pass catchers.

Another factor that comes with it being Homecoming Week is the list of events and possible distractions as the Bears prepare to play at the end of the week. Collins said that his team will participate in the events, but afterward, make sure that they remain focused on their assignments.

"We are probably going to have an early practice (Thursday)," Collins said. "We had 100% check in at breakfast this morning. We are starting the week off right and I think that they are ready to go. Homecoming is always an exciting part of the year for the Fall and football. It is a big celebration moment for everyone to come back on campus, revisit old friends and get to see old teachers. It is like a community college family reunion."

The Bears and the Eagles kick off Saturday at 5 p.m. from John I. Hurst Stadium.