PERKINSTON — The Mississippi Gulf Coast Bulldogs scored on its first two drives of the game to set the tone early and then survived a fourth-quarter East Central rally to pick up a 27-14 MACJC South Division football win over the visiting Warriors Thursday at George Sekul Field at A.L. May Memorial Stadium.

The fast-paced, no-huddle offense of the Bulldogs kept the East Central defense off balance most of the first half. Before the fans were settled good in their seats, Gulf Coast had a 13-0 lead.

Freshman quarterback Chance Lovertich picked up where he left off a week earlier when he threw six touchdown passes in a 56-7 win at Southwest. The product of Jackson Prep hit tight end Denzel Carter from 5 yards out to cap a 73-yard, six-play drive to open the game. After an 8-yard punt by East Central, Gulf Coast took over on the Warrior 44 and, nine plays later, Lovertich connected with Carter from the three. With 6:23 still to play in the first quarter the Bulldogs led 13-0.

East Central eventually got on the scoreboard with 7:26 to play in the first half when defensive lineman Alvin Dempsey III (Port St. Joe, Fla.) scooped up a Bulldog fumble and returned it seven yards for the score. The PAT by Sam Cox (Starkville Academy) was good, and the Gulf Coast lead was cut to 20-7.

Gulf Coast added another score with 3:30 to play in the second quarter on a 65-yard, 10-play drive that ended with a 2-yard run by Terrion Avery to take what appeared to be a commanding 27-7 lead into the locker room.

The East Central offense, however, controlled the football in the second half. 

It looked as if East Central would get back into the game quickly on its opening drive of the third quarter. The Warriors drove 69 yards and took 10 minutes off the clock, but the drive stalled when East Central failed to convert on a fourth and 7 from the Bulldog 9.

The Warriors wouldn’t be denied the next time they got the football, driving to the Gulf Coast 4-yard line. On fourth and goal, quarterback Brady Anderson (Brandon) hit a diving freshman running back Marcus Hooks (St. Petersburg, Fla.) for the touchdown. The PAT was good, and East Central trailed 27-14.

Moments later after forcing just the second Gulf Coast punt of the game, East Central drove from its 33 to the Bulldog 8-yard line. Facing another fourth and goal, the Gulf Coast defense came up with a big stop to preserve the 27-14 win.

The sophomore Anderson went the distance at quarterback for East Central ahead of fellow sophomore Mario Asagunla, who has taken most of the snaps this season. Anderson hit 18 of 30 passes for 156 yards and the one score. Running back James Smith III (Velma Jackson, Camden) rushed 12 times for 78 yards before leaving the game in the second half with an injury.

The loss dropped the Warriors to 3-4 overall on the season and 2-2 in MACJC South Division play. Gulf Coast improved to 5-2 overall and 2-2 in the division.

East Central has lost 15 of the last 16 games against Gulf Coast. The lone win during that time was a 42-28 home victory in 2016.

The Warriors play their fifth, and final, road game of the season next Thursday. East Central and Hinds will square off in a South Division game at Gene Murphy Field at Joe Renfroe Stadium in Raymond. Kickoff for Hinds’ homecoming game is set for 7 p.m.