Wolves Stumble Against Indians

FULTON- The Co-Lin Football team continued its season opening road trip with a contest against Itawamba Community College on Thursday, September 9. The Indians beat the Wolves by a final of 30-3.

The makings of a defensive battle were seen through the first quarter and a half as neither offense mustered more than 42 yards in a single drive. However, the Indians broke the scoreless tie midway through the second quarter as Dylan Faulk connected with Chris Howard from eight yards for a touchdown pass capping a 12 play, 89-yard drive. The successful PAT gave the Indians a 7-0 lead with 3:38 remaining in the first half.

The Indians looked to increase their lead at the end of the half by lining up for a 29-yard field goal, but the Wolves special teams unit blocked the attempt to keep the score 7-0 at halftime.

The Wolves received the second half kickoff and proceeded on an 11 play, 73-yard scoring drive to open the half capped off by a 24-yard field goal from sophomore kicker Bryce Lofton (Sand Hill). The Wolves trailed the Indians, 7-3, with 10:29 remaining in the third quarter.

The Indians responded with 23 unanswered points in the remainder of the game starting with a 31-yard touchdown pass from Faulk to Shamar Sandgreen that capped off a ten play, 82-yard drive with 6:51 to go in the third quarter. The Indians then added a 24-yard field goal on their next possession capping off a four-play drive setup after the Indians recovered a fumble by the Wolves on their own 28-yard line. The Indians held a 17-3 lead at the end of the third quarter.

The Indians added a score in the fourth quarter as Corley Hooper intercepted a pass by Wolves quarterback Colton Gardner (Madison) and returned it 18 yards for a defensive touchdown. The PAT was unsuccessful making the score 23-3 with 9:30 remaining. The final score of the game came with three minutes remaining as Jamal Brooks powered the ball in from one-yard out capping off a seven play, 59-yard drive. A successful PAT increased the Indians lead to 30-3. The Indians defense stalled out the final possession for the Wolves sealing the 30-3 win.

Colton Gardner completed eight of 18 pass attempts for 53 yards with one interception while Paul Hargrave (Natchez) completed three of nine pass attempts for 42 yards.

Drexlan Allen (Hattiesburg) led the rushing attack with 107 yards on 11 attempts paired with two receptions for 15 yards. Erick Rogers (Shannon) led the receiving corps with five receptions for 64 yards.

Abdural Lee (Starkville) and Demario Martin (Columbus) led the Wolf Pack defense with 13 total tackles each. Martin also accounted for one and a half sacks and two and a half tackles for loss on the night which led the team in both categories. Jamal Pye (Byhalia) and Jospeh Barton (Walnut) added eight tackles each.

The Wolves are now 0-2 overall on the season and will turn their attention to South Division play as they face off against Southwest Mississippi Community College. The rivalry matchup will be the home opener in H.L. Stone Stadium for the Wolves as they action kicks off at 6:30 p.m., on Thursday, September 16.