Gulf Coast men face tough out-of-state squads

PERKINSTON – Mississippi Gulf Coast faces a pair of out-of-state teams, presenting a tall task for the Bulldogs.

Jacksonville College visits at 4 p.m. Friday, followed by the arrival of No. 2-ranked Eastern Florida on Saturday at 4 p.m.

Gulf Coast (8-2) is riding a six-game win streak and is coming off a sweep of two road games in two days last weekend at Itawamba and Northwest.

"It's an opportunity for our players to prove that they can play at that level," Gulf Coast coach Chris Handy said. "Four-year schools can judge their talent based on what they see in these game."

Jacksonville is winless in eight games, but the record should be considered deceiving. The Texas school is facing tougher competition out there.

Eastern Florida (5-0-2), based in Cocoa, will play at Pearl River on Friday.

"Should we be blessed to make it into the playoffs and play another Texas team, this will help us," Handy said. "I can try to tell our players what the competition is going to be like, but it won't carry the weight of competing against them on the field."