Here is the article..........
Lions slip past Bulldogs
By JAMES JONES - jkjones@sunherald.com
PERKINSTON -- East Mississippi quarterback Randall Mackey put Gulf Coast's hopes of repeating as NJCAA national champions on life support.
Mackey's 2-yard touchdown run with 21 seconds left lifted the Lions to a stunning 27-23 upset over the second-ranked Bulldogs on Thursday night at A.L. May Stadium.
The Bulldogs (3-1) had their 15-game winning streak snapped, but they remain in the hunt to defend the South Division and state championships.
Gulf Coast led 23-20 with 2:15 left and had the ball at the Lions' 25-yard line. Rather than have JUCO All-American kicker Sean Brauchle attempt a 42-yard field goal, Gulf Coast decided to go for the first down and run out the clock. Gulf Coast quarterback Greg Jenkins tried to pass and missed a wide-open tight end Kevin Helms.
East Mississippi (3-1) took the ball downfield as Mackey calmly drove the Lions into field-goal range for a possible overtime. Once the Lions got inside the Bulldogs' 10, they went for the win. Mackey, who threw for 335 yards and three touchdowns, dove into the end zone for the game-winning points. He also added 75 yards rushing.
"All I was thinking about was scoring," Mackey said. "We came down to Perkinston to beat the second-ranked team. We're 3-1, and it's better than being 2-2."
Gulf Coast nearly pulled off the unbelievable victory. Jenkins' Hail Mary in the end zone was batted away, but it was nearly caught after being tipped by wide receiver Kevin Barkley as time expired.
The Bulldogs had six miscues in their non-division contest, fumbling three times and missing two field goals. A third field-goal try was foiled by a bad snap in the fourth quarter.
Running backs Jamal Young and Vick Ballard each rushed for more than 100 yards, wasting a solid night from the Bulldogs. Young rushed for 161 yards and two touchdowns. Ballard, a freshman from Pascagoula, added 105 yards.
Jenkins' 9-yard touchdown run gave the Bulldogs a 7-0 lead.
East Mississippi closed to within 7-6 after one quarter. Mackey threw a 31-yard touchdown pass to Wayne Bonner. The Lions missed the extra point, keeping Gulf Coast ahead.
The Bulldogs answered the Lions' score, extending their lead to 13-6 on Young's 4-yard TD run.
Gulf Coast extended its lead to 16-6 as Brauchle drilled a 47-yard field goal.
East Mississippi overcame its interceptions as Mackey kept the Lions in the game. His 23-yard TD strike to Leon Berry got the Lions to within 16-13.
The Bulldogs, however, padded their lead to 23-13 after three quarters on Young's 5-yard TD run.
Mackey's 28-yard TD pass to Bonner closed the gap to 23-20 with four minutes left, setting up the game-winning finish as former Pearl River offensive coordinator Buddy Stephens won as the Lions' first-year coach.
