Gulf Coast looks for complete game at Southwest

PERKINSTON — There have been glimpses of good play from the Mississippi Gulf Coast football team this year.

But as a 3-3 record will indicate, consistency has been lacking. Another road trip to Southwest is on tap Thursday, with another chance to put it all together. Kickoff is at 7 p.m.

"This football team has yet to play a complete football game," Bulldogs coach Chad Huff said. "I don't think we've showed up and played great on defense, offense and special teams. We need to do that, and that's exciting to know we still haven't played our best football."

Gulf Coast (3-3, 2-1 MACJC South) plays at Southwest (2-4, 1-2), which is coming off a 31-21 victory at Pearl River. The Bulldogs are on a riding a two-game shutout streak, having blanked Hinds 34-0 and Mississippi Delta 42-0.

The defense has allowed 271 yards in the past two games, including just 29 yards on 35 rushing attempts by Delta. Southwest uses a lot of the run-pass option scheme that's popular right now, which will require defenders to be disciplined in their assignments.

"I couldn't be more proud of that group of guys than the way they're playing right now," Huff said. "We just need to build off that and build going into Southwest."

Six different Gulf Coast players scored touchdowns last week, but the points that didn't go up on the board frustrated the coaching staff.

The Bulldogs ran for 279 yards, but managed only 90 in the air while completing just 10 of 21 passes.

"Offensively, I thought we got a little complacent, and it showed," Huff said. "We've got to be consistent and steady. At times, we play like we're capable of it, and then we go out and play the exact the opposite."

Gulf Coast is a half-game back of East Central in the South Division, both teams having one loss. The Warriors entertain dangerous Hinds, which beat Copiah-Lincoln last week.

The Bulldogs will advance to the playoffs if they win out, but need help to move past East Central.

"The South Division is a lot of teams beating up on each other," Huff said. "Starting off the way we did, we're still right in the mix of things. With three South games left, but we've got a lot to play for. This team knows it."

GAME #7

Who: MGCCC (3-3, 2-1 MACJC South) at Southwest (2-4, 1-2)

When: Thursday, Oct. 13, 7 p.m.

Where: John I Hurst Stadium, Summit

Online: Watch at http://livestream.com/BulldogLIVE/MGCCCvsSMCCCFootball2016

Listen: SuperTalk Mississippi 103.1 FM

THE SERIES 

Overall: Gulf Coast leads 56-22-3

First Meeting: 1931

Last Meeting (October 1, 2015): MGCCC 37, Southwest 10

Streak: MGCCC has won the last 9 meetings

For more information on MGCCC's 10 intercollegiate athletic teams, follow @MGCCCAthletics on Twitter and BulldogLIVE on Facebook, and go to mgcccbulldogs.com.