Teams set for the 2005 Pilgrim's Pride Bowl Classic

Mt. Pleasant-- ARE YOUR READY FOR SOME FOOTBALL? Pilgrim's Pride and the Mt. Pleasant Independent School District are bringing another hard-hitting junior college bowl game to Mount Pleasant. Two competitive teams have accepted invitations to play in the Second Annual Pilgrim's Pride Bowl Classic. Trinity Valley Community College from Athens, Texas, will clash with Northeast Mississippi Community College from Boonesville, Mississippi, on Saturday, December 3 at Sam Parker Field. Kickoff will be at 12:30 p.m., and the game will be televised on FSN.

After playing for the Southwest Junior College Football Conference Saturday, November 19th, the Trinity Valley Community College Cardinals will arrive in Mt. Pleasant ready to take on the Tigers of Northeastern Mississippi.

"The Pilgrim's Pride Bowl is by far the most attractive bowl in the country, and it's been my desire to get to play there since it was created," said Trinity Valley Head Coach Mark Sartain. "The folks in Mt. Pleasant do an excellent job, and we're extremely honored to get an invitation. We're also very excited to play a team as highly respected and highly ranked as Northeast Mississippi."

The Northeast Mississippi Community College black and gold Tigers went undefeated during the regular season. They posted one loss to the 2004 national champion Pearl River Community College in conference tournament play.

"We are thrilled to be able to bring top-ranked competition to Mount Pleasant again this year," said Dan Emery, bowl committee member and vice president of marketing for Pilgrim's Pride.

"We are pleased to have these two outstanding teams agree to play in the Pilgrim's Pride Bowl Classic," said Marc McDaniel, MPISD athletic business manager and a bowl committee member. "They both play very competitive football, and I know the action will be exciting between these two contenders."

Several events are planned leading up to the Pilgrim's Pride Bowl Classic, including a banquet for the competing teams at the Mount Pleasant Civic Center the night before the game and the "World's Largest Tailgate Party" at the stadium the morning of the game. Fans can also look forward to pre-game entertainment, Bo Pilgrim tossing the game coin, the Pilgrim's Pride chicken strutting his stuff, and halftime festivities, plus a few surprises... like the chance to win a Pontiac G6!

Tickets for the game are now on sale at the Mt. Pleasant High School field house. Reserved seats are $10 for chair back seats and $8 for the remaining reserved seats. General admission seats are $6 and are located on the visitor's side of the field. Call 903-434-8587 for tickets or for more information.