POPLARVILLE, Miss. — It's always a remarkable matchup when Pearl River meets archrival Gulf Coast on the gridiron, but this week's matchup carries a lot more weight than usual. The annual matchup between the Wildcats and Bulldogs is the oldest in the MACCC and will reach the 100-game milestone Thursday. Kickoff inside Dobie Holden Stadium is set for 7 p.m.
PRCC currently leads the all-time series against MGCCC, 55-43-1.
"For us, this game has to be treated like the last game and the next game. We aren't going to play them any harder than we played anyone else," Pearl River coach Seth Smith said. "We're aware that they are 25 minutes down the road from us. There are bragging rights on the line, but we try to take the approach that our standard doesn't change no matter who we are playing. It's definitely cool that this is the oldest rivalry in the state. It's a joy to be part of it."
Before the contest gets underway, Pearl River will have a special performance from attendees of the Little Wildcat Cheer Clinic. PRCC will also honor the 2022 NJCAA DII National Champion Pearl River baseball team before kickoff.
Fans are encouraged to wear black to the game.
ABOUT THE WILDCATS
Pearl River (2-2 overall; 0-1 MACCC South) is coming off a hard-fought 14-0 loss on the road against Hinds.
Quarterback Lawson Pratt (Tuscaloosa, Ala.; American Christian Academy) currently sits sixth in the NJCAA in completion percentage at 63.1. He has completed 70 passes for 643 yards and four touchdowns. He's also added 60 yards and four touchdowns on the ground.
Christopher Holifield Jr. (Mobile, Ala.; LeFlore) currently leads the country in receptions with 27. He also has 260 yards and a touchdown. The sophomore has tallied nine carries for 56 yards and a score. Antonio Gayden (Harvey, La.; West Jefferson) had a breakout game a week ago, bringing in five catches for 71 yards. On the season, he has 10 catches for 114 yards.
"We didn't target him a lot early in the season, but we've known all along what he could do," Smith said. "That was a game that we felt like we could get some one-on-one matchups with him. They were there. We left 21 points on the field because there were three times where he was wide-open, but we overthrew him. You can see that he's one of the fastest kids on the team."
Nick Milsap (Raleigh; Oak Grove) and Qavonte Swanigan (Foxworth; West Marion) lead the team in rushing. Milsap has carried the ball 47 times for 209 yards and two scores. Swanigan has tallied 33 carries for 195 yards.
Justin Jefferson (Memphis, Tenn.; Bartlett) and Bryan Whitehead II (Bartlett, Tenn.) continue to lead the Wildcats defensively. Jefferson has tallied 32 tackles, 4.5 tackles-for-loss, one sack, one fumble recovery and one interception on the year. Whitehead II is second on the team in tackles with 22. He has tallied 10.5 TFLs which is second in the NJCAA, and his 5.5 sacks are tied for third in the country. The defensive lineman also has a defensive touchdown this season.
The Pearl River secondary has been remarkable this season as it has only allowed 146 yards per game. The mark is the 13th best in the country. The Wildcats have also tallied 14 sacks and 39 TFLs this season.
"These guys continue to go out and give an incredible effort every week," Smith said. "It's been the same all year with them. Coach (Ty) Trahan, (Ta'Ron) Sims, and (Lorenzo) Breland do a great job of preparing the guys every week and the guys understand the standard that they have to play at. What you're seeing on the field is a product of the hard work they've all put in."
SCOUTING GULF COAST
Gulf Coast (2-2; 1-0) is coming off a heartbreaking loss to East Mississippi in which EMCC erased a 24-point deficit to win the game 48-45. The Bulldogs average 273 passing yards and 160.8 rushing yards per game. The defense allows 337 total yards per game.
"They look a lot like they did last season," Smith said. "They're physical. Their quarterback does an excellent job offensively. They've got playmakers on offense. On defense, they play fast, and they play hard. It's going to come down again to execution. If we don't turn over the football, we will have a chance. Turnovers and penalties will decide the outcome of the game."
The Bulldogs are led at the quarterback position by Kent State transfer Pat McQuaide. He has completed 84 passes for 1033 yards and 11 touchdowns.
At the receiver position, Keymari Odum has caught 25 passes for 425 yards and six touchdowns. Ramone Bradley has caught 24 passes for 205 yards and a pair of scores.
Cam Thomas has carried the ball 57 times for 286 yards and three touchdowns. Xavier Evans has tallied 43 carries for 305 yards and three touchdowns.
Hayden Hill leads the Bulldogs in tackles with 34. Scott Burton has tallied 23 tackles and an NJCAA leading seven sacks.
TUNE IN
Pearl River livestreams all games for free at PRCCMedia.com/gold. Fans who have Roku, Amazon Fire, or Apple TV devices can also watch the Wildcat broadcasts by downloading the "Pearl River CC" channel from their app. stores.
Games will also be available over the air in Pearl River County by tuning into 1320 AM and 106.9 FM., in Columbia on WCJU 102.7 FM and 1450 AM, and in Hattiesburg on WHSY 105.9 FM and 950 AM. The radio broadcast is also available at WRJWRadio.com and by downloading the WRJW app.
TICKETS
Advance single-game tickets for football are $8, or $11 at the box office. Single-game chairback seats are $20.
All-sport passes are available for $123. The passes include general admission to all PRCC regular season competitions.
CASHLESS BOX OFFICE
To help improve traffic flow and fan experience, PRCC athletics box offices will be cashless in 2022-23. Only credit and debit cards will be accepted at the box office. Fans are encouraged to beat the lines and purchase their tickets in advance at PRCCAthletics.com/Tickets.
For the latest on Pearl River Community College athletics, follow us on Twitter (@PRCCAthletics) and Facebook (PRCCAthletics).