CORSICANA, Texas — Featuring the leading rusher in the Southwest Junior College Football Conference, the No. 14 ranked Navarro College Bulldogs entertain the Northeastern A&M Golden Norsemen in the 1 p.m. regular season finale at Tiger Stadium.
Under the guidance of first-year head coach Sherard Poteete the Golden Norse enter the final game with a 1-4 SWJCFC record and a 3-5 overall mark. NEO defeated Cisco Junior College 21-14 last weekend at Robertson Field.
While Poteete and his staff can begin recruiting next week, coach Brian Mayper's Navarro Bulldogs are fighting for one of four spots in the post-season SWJCFC playoffs scheduled to begin Nov. 2.
The Bulldogs are currently tied with Kilgore College for third place in the conference with a 3-2 record. The Bulldogs are 6-2 on the season. Last weekend the Bulldogs defeated Blinn College 42-28 in Brenham, Texas.
Wright (5-11, 195 from Lamarque, Texas) is the only runner in the conference with over 1,000 yards. The sophomore is averaging 135.6 yards per game with 1,085 yards on 159 carries. He has scored 96 total points to lead the league in that category also.
"He is arguably the best running back in the conference," Poteete said. "He is dang good and our first priority will be to try and stop him."
While the Bulldogs are averaging 476 yards per game on offense, Wright has accounted for 48 per cent of the Navarro ground game. The offensive unit have only committed eight lost fumbles and one interception through eight games.
Sophomore Cameron Washington (5-11, 195 from Corsicana) compliments Wright in the Bulldogs backfield. He has rushed for 633 yards on 105 carries and eight TDs.
"They are a very physical football team," Poteete said. "Their offensive line doesn't have to create much of a gap for either runner to get through. They are both so talented that once they see an opening, they are gone."
Sophomore transfer Josh Greer (6-4, 210 from Arlington, Texas) guides the Bulldog offense at quarterback. Greer has completed 61 of 95 passes for 773 yards and seven touchdowns with one interception.
Freshman Carson Earp (6-4, 195 from Roberson, Texas) is Greer's backup. He has completed 31 of 64 passes for 377 yards and three TDs with no interceptions.
Leading the Bulldogs receiving corps is freshman Austin Collins (5-10, 175 from Navasota, Texas). Collins has 28 receptions for 316 yards and four touchdowns.
Another freshman, Devin Lauderdale (5-11, 175 from Houston, Texas) has 22 catches for 445 yards and five TDs as a wide out.
Veteran wide receiver Markel Steward-Gillespie (6-5, 195 from Klein, Texas) has recorded 21 receptions for 175 yards and two TDs.
Navarro leads the conference in overall team defense by holding the opposition to only 265.4 total yards per game. The Bulldogs are limiting opponents to a mere 99.5 total yards on the ground. The defense also leads the league with a plus+12 turnover-takeaway ratio.
Sophomore linebacker Dominique Kelly and freshman safety Kyron Minter are tied for the team lead with 58 total tackles each, respectively.
Kelly (6-0, 225 from Corsicana) has recorded three quarterback sacks while posting eight tackles behind the line of scrimmage.
Minter (6-0, 195 from Crowley, Texas) leads the team with six sacks and 12 quarterback hurries while making 13 total tackles for a loss.
Veteran cornerback Sherman Gilbert (5-10, 175 from Dallas, Texas) leads the Bulldogs with four interceptions including a 34-yard return for a TD. He also leads the team with three fumble while making 28 total tackles.
Freshman linebacker Chrishard Buhl (6-2, 225 from Hewitt-Midway, Texas) has also recovered three fumbles and one interception for making 56 total tackles.
