During the 2010 football season I had the opportunity to watch many games in person. Out of all the games I was able to witness live, the best one was neither a Saints game, SEC game or even a high school state championship. It was a junior college game and surprisingly was the first one I had ever attended.
This incredible sports drama unfolded on a clear, early autumn evening in Poplarville, Mississippi. The 3-1 hometeam Pearl River Community College Wildcats were playing host to the heavily favored undefeated Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College Bulldogs, who at the time were the the number #1 ranked junior college team in the country. As expected the Bulldogs controlled the first half jumping out to a 27-7 halftime lead. The second half turned out unlike anyone there watching had expected, as Pearl River ralled from a three touchdown defecit to tie the game and send into overtime, where they kicked the winning field goal to claim the stunning upset victory 30-27. I don't know what Pearl River Coach Tim Hatten said to his players at halftime, but I doubt Knute Rockne could have topped it. Heck, at least Rockne's Notre Dame teams were the favorites.
Tonight is the rematch. Only this time the Wildcats will be playing on the Bulldogs turf in Perkinston making back to back wins even more challening. The teams records are identical at 3-1, and rankings are pretty close to with Gulf Coast being ranked #13 nationally and Pearl River coming in at #15. One of the highlights from the 2010 contest was the excellent play at wide receiver, and both teams return big play receivers in Javon Bell (Jacksonville, Fl) of the Bulldogs and Seth Roberts (Tallahassee) of the Wildcats, so I don't expect tonight's game to defined by a defensive struggle. Other key players I am looking forwarding to see are WR Steve McNair, Jr of Pearl River and DL Darrington Sentimore of Gulf Coast, who was a prized recruit out of Destrehan, LA and transferred from Alabama before the season started.
It was a dark drive home on that Thusday night a year ago from Poplarville, but darn worth it. I needed every drop of caffeine inside the 20 oz cup of coffee that I purchased at the Chevron right before taking the exit ramp to Highway 59 South for my return home. Should the Wildcats and Bulldogs take their battle into overtime tonight, the drive back from Perkinston would't be as long for me. Which is good because this is a big football weekend coming up and I'll need my rest.
- Win
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