Blinn College Tops Pearl River Community College to Win Third Annual Pilgrim's Pride Bowl Classic

Mount Pleasant, TX, December 10, 2006 - The Blinn College Buccaneers used a suffocating defense and some big offensive plays in the second half yesterday to top the Pearl River Community College Wildcats 19-6 for the third annual Pilgrim's Pride Bowl Classic Championship at Sam Parker Field.

With the victory, Blinn (12-0) wrapped up an undefeated season and laid claim to the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) title, its third in the past 11 years. Pearl River had come into the game ranked second in the nation with a 10-1 record. The game was played in cool and cloudy conditions before approximately 5,000 fans.

In the first half, Blinn's Bernard Scott (22 carries, 193 yards) followed the blocks of his offensive linemen to dominate the clock. Late in the second quarter with the score 0-0, Scott gained a critical 10 yards on fourth down to keep Blinn's scoring hopes alive. He gained another 10 to the Pearl River 3, but after two dives for no gain and an incomplete pass by Scott, the drive stopped. Luis Leal then kicked a 20-yard field goal to give the Bucs a 3-0 lead with 5:36 left in the first half.

Pearl River was unable to move the ball on its next possession. A low snap on the punt left kicker Phillip Sullivan struggling to control the ball. Blinn linebacker Sterling Lewis blocked the kick, sending it out of the end zone for a safety. Pearl River couldn't convert a drive into a scoring opportunity when Brad Bingham missed a 34-yard field goal with just over 8 minutes left in the game.

On the next play, Blinn's quarterback Brad Guidry handed off to Scott, who ran 80 yards for the first touchdown of the game to put Blinn ahead 12-0.

Pearl River tried to get back in the game as Wildcat quarterback Carlton Hill connected with J.J. Smith for passes of 11 and 4 yards to give Pearl River a first down on the Blinn 25. On the next play, the Buc's Alex Cook hit Hill hard and caused a fumble. Linebacker Damien Reed scooped up the ball and ran 67 yards for another Blinn score.

A short kick-off and a good runback gave Pearl River good field position. Hiss capped a 10-play drive with an 11-yard run to give the Wildcats their only scoring of the game.

"It's surreal, it really hasn't set in yet," said Blinn Head Coach Brad Franchione. "It's the greatest feeling in the world, to have a group of people come together to achieve a common goal."

The victory had special meaning for Franchione, whose father, Texas A&M Head Coach Dennis Franchione, attended the game. Scott was selected as Blinn's Most Valuable Player by Fox Sports Southwest, while Pearl River's Kendrick Young, who had three sacks and two tackles in the backfield, was named the Wildcats' MVP.

The Bowl Classic game capped an exciting weekend of events for the athletes, coaches and their families. While Saturday afternoon's game may have been the highlight of the Pilgrim's Pride Bowl Classic, it was not the only activity planned for the players by the Bowl Committee, made up of employees from Mount Pleasant Independent School District and Pilgrim's Pride Corporation. On Thursday evening, both teams and their coaches were treated to an East Texas Luau, compliments of Pilgrim's Pride, Mount Pleasant Independent High School and sponsors.

On Friday, players visited four schools in the Mount Pleasant area to talk to students about the importance of a quality education. That evening, players and coaches were treated to a banquet featuring chicken fajitas, vegetables, refried beans, tortillas, pralines, Blue Bell Ice Cream and special music by Miss Texas 2006, Shilah Phillips. Pearl River Coach Tim Hatten and Blinn's Brad Franchione each showed highlight tapes of their team's seasons and introduced their players, coaches and trainers to the 400 people in attendance.

Saturday began with a huge tailgate party featuring plenty of music and food and autographs signed by Miss Texas. A highlight of the pre-game festivities was a flyover by two F-16s and skydivers bringing in the game ball.

Second Quarter

B - Luis Neal 20 field goal.
B - Safety, blocked punt went out of end zone.

Fourth Quarter

B - Bernard Scott, 80 run (Leal kick).
B - Damien Reed 65 fumble recovery (Leal kick).
P - Carlton Hill 10 run (pass failed).

INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS

RUSHING - Pearl River, Carlton Hill 23-45, Seth Hayden 7-9, Aaron Williams 1-(-1). Blinn, Bernard Scott 22-193, Lamont Roberson 7-19, Ryan Mouton 1-5, Davis Orosco 1-2, Larod Roberson 1-0, Brad Guidry 4-(-25).

PASSING - Pearl River, Carlton Hill 11-30-1-135, Larry Freeman 0-1-0-0. Blinn, Brad Guidry 9-13-0-161, Bernard Scott 0-1-0-0.

RECEIVING - Pearl River, J.J. Smith 4-32, Demetrius Byrd 3-32, Kenny Robinson 2-22, Larry Freeman 2-0. Blinn, Phillip Beck 4-26, Marcus Brigham 2-20, Rashard Kelly 1-13, Carl Johnson 1-5, Bernard Scott 1-(-3).