The Union Recorder

Local Sports

Related Photos

  • MitchDeaver.com Photo

    GMC Bulldogs fall in Mississippi Bowl

Discussion

Add a comment on this story
December 8, 2008

GMC Bulldogs fall in Mississippi Bowl

David Brent Martin

Coach Bert Williams and the GMC Bulldogs had aspirations for a national championship this season, but had their hopes dashed when they were defeated by then-No. 1 ranked Navarro 25-13 on Sept. 6, a game in which the Bulldogs committed several costly turnovers.

The loss inspired GMC, and they swept through the rest of their regular season undefeated, propelling them to the inaugural Mississippi Bowl at Indians Stadium in Biloxi, Miss.

During the season GMC held five opponents to single digits with two shutouts.

GMC carried momentum and a No. 3 ranking into Sunday’s game, but ran head-on into another pack of hungry Bulldogs, the 7th ranked Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College Bulldogs, last year’s JUCO Co-National Champions.

Gulf Coast stifled GMC’s offense from the start and rolled to an impressive 41-7 victory, but had a month to prepare for Sunday’s game.

The bowl was practically a home game for MGCCC (10-2), who controlled the lines of scrimmage throughout. After building a 20-0 lead in the first half they never looked back.

GMC (9-2) scored a lone touchdown on a 29-yard scoring pass from Joei Fiegler to Chleb Ravenell. The Bulldogs finished the game with 167 yards of offense. Gulf Coast tallied 333 total yards.

“We obviously didn’t finish the way we wanted to, but the guys fought well after an early loss and rebounded. We still have a chance to finish in the top 10, which is overall a good season,” said Williams.

GMC had won eight straight games before Sunday’s loss, and was ranked fourth nationally in pass offense and sixth in total defense.

The Mississippi Bowl was also the final JUCO bowl game of the season, pitting GMC versus a team that won the Mississippi Association of Community & Junior Colleges Athletic Conference. MJCCC also shared last year’s title with Butler (Kansas) Community College. Coming into Sunday’s game MJCCC had outscored opponents 220-64.

The final JUCO rankings have yet to be released, but Williams anticipates the Bulldogs will finish the season in the top 10.

So now all eyes will focus on next season.

“As for next year, we’ll be losing all our linebacking corps, but we have a great free safety returning. Our defensive line will be solid, but we’ll be losing more guys on the defensive side than the offensive side,” remarked Williams.

GMC expects to be strong again next year and will be working to improve a few key areas of the team, especially on defense.

“We’ll be out recruiting tomorrow. And the All-American team will also be released tomorrow, so we hope to have a few guys on there.”

Text Only
Local Sports
  • Prep Hoops Youth Development Camp set

    With schools getting out for the summer, it is time for sports camps throughout the community to gear up, beginning with the Southern Prep Hoops Youth Development Camp held in Georgia Military Prep School’s Cordell Events Center June 7 through 9.

    May 26, 2012

  • BHS football gets a talent boost this offseason

    While the Baldwin High football team missed out on its Spring Game this year due to severe weather, the Braves come away from spring ball plea-sed with the im-provements made in the offseason.

    May 25, 2012

  • Durham Bulls dominate Rookie League

    The Durham Bulls, sponsored by K.C. Eady Insurance Repair, won the 2012 Rookie League with a 11-1 record.

    May 24, 2012

  • GMC JC goes Red, Black

    After spending five weeks conditioning and working on position assignments, the Georgia Military Junior College football team got things going with their Red and Black Spring Game Saturday, May 19.

    May 23, 2012

  • GMC Prep players finish third in AAU

    Basketball players from Georgia Military Prep School raised some eyebrows in the Amateur Athletic Union’s (AAU) Ninth Grade and Under District Basketball Tournament hosted by GMC Prep May 4 through 6, as the players finished a surprising third place overall as a part of the Southern Prep Hoops team.

    May 22, 2012

  • GC golf ends in NCAA Quarterfinals

    An amazing season has finally come to a close for No. 18 Georgia College golf, as head coach Jimmy Wilson and the Bobcats fell 3-2 to No. 3 CSU-Stanislaus in the NCAA Quarterfinals Medal-Match Play Thursday.

    May 19, 2012

  • GMC Prep announces its new coaches

    A minor facelift took place for Georgia Military Prep School recently, as the Bulldogs have announced the replacements for John Griffin, head girls basketball coach, and Athletic Director Garry Couch, also softball and baseball head coach, who announced their retirements earlier this spring.

    May 18, 2012

  • GMC gears up for football season

    Coming off one of the most successful seasons in program history in 2011, the Georgia Military College Prep Bulldogs gear up for this fall by participating in their annual spring football game Friday, May 18.

    May 17, 2012

  • Tyson’s versatility and hard work provides spot at Berry College

    Head Trojan baseball coach Justin Mills couldn’t conceal his pride and excitement at John Milledge Academy senior Dusty Tyson’s Tuesday signing.

    May 16, 2012

  • Saturday loss ends Trojan season

    Senior Jordan Demmon allowed no earned runs and retired seven, but the John Milledge Academy offense fell short at the plate in a 3-0 season ending loss to Westfield last Saturday.

    May 15, 2012