BILOXI—The weather outside was cloudy and foggy, but the atmosphere inside MGCCC’S Hospitality & Resort Management Center was warm with great food and the anticipation of Mississippi Bowl VI. The two teams battling for the NJCAA National Championship arrived Friday in Biloxi for the game’s annual kickoff diner. On Sunday #1 Georgia Military (11-0) takes on #2 East Mississippi (11-0) at 2 p.m. for JUCO football’s top prize.
MSU football coach Dan Mullen speaks at the Mississippi Bowl VI dinner Dec. 6.
“We appreciate being here and having the opportunity to showcase our football team in a National venue,” said East Mississippi head football coach Buddy Stephens, whose Lions won Mississippi Bowl II in 2009 and the NJCAA National title in 2011.
For Georgia Military head coach Bert Williams and the Bulldogs, an 11-0 run through the regular season comes down to Sunday’s winner-take-all battle.
“We found a way to get through the season unscathed, and this Sunday both teams are going to play a special game in a special place.”
Both coaches addressed the media then joined their respective teams for dinner and listened to remarks from Mississippi State head football coach Dan Mullen, who served as the dinner’s guest speaker.
“I’ve been fortunate to be part of two National Championship teams and a high school championship team,” Mullen said. “Those are things that can never be taken away from you for the rest of your life. I’m honored to speak to these players.”
East Miss. football coach Buddy Stephens speaks with reporters after arriving in Biloxi on Friday.
Saturday both teams will hold walkthrough practices at Biloxi Indian Stadium and also participate in community service projects.
Why can’t the Njccaa game be on an actual tv channel. The stream keeps blacking out. If you can’t televise a national championship then don’t even have one.