Mississippi College Bass Fishing Team Faces Clinton City Anglers

MC Bass Fishing Team members face challenge from Clinton city anglers on September 21.

Let the smack talk begin as Mississippi College’s bass fishing team squares off against Clinton city anglers in a September 21 tournament.

Bragging rights and a trophy are at stake with the inaugural event taking place at Providence Hill Farm. The action begins at 2:30 p.m. Monday afternoon. Four hours later, one winning team will reel in an estimated 15 fish to finish on top.

If Clinton police, firefighters and others on the public safety squad net 15 fish, “I will be thoroughly surprised,” says MC bass fisherman Andrew Smedley of Birmingham, Alabama.

Clinton Fire Department Chief Barry Burnside lands a counter jab. “We are looking forward to this opportunity to educate the MC anglers in the proper and skillful mechanics of bass fishing.”

A Mississippi College graduate, Burnside promises he won’t go easy on his alma mater on the Choctaws bass fishing team’s home turf.

Police Chief Michael Warren believes his more seasoned squad will prevail at Providence Hill Farm. “MC’s bass fishing team will face some crafty professionals.”

The fishing event was hatched when Clinton Mayor Phil Fisher stopped by MC’s bass boat during the Back to the Bricks festival in late August. Fisher boldly predicted that Clinton’s police and fire departments would defeat the Mississippi College squad in fishing.

The MC bass fishing team refused to walk away from the challenge in the university’s hometown.

Mississippi College students hopping into boats Monday will be: Michael Case of Carencro, Louisiana, Charles Farr of Hoover, Alabama and Matthew Graham of Hernando. Also: Camryn Jones of Moss Point, Davin Millis of Mendenhall and Smedley.

MC bass fishing coach Webb Collums wants to make the competition a little more interesting.

If MC loses, the students will wash the vehicles of the Clinton police and fire departments that will appear in the university’s Homecoming Parade on October 24, he says.

But make no mistake about it, this event should be a blast for both sides as MC prepares to celebrate its 190^th anniversary in January.

“We are looking forward to having a great time of fellowship with the students and faculty at Mississippi College,” Burnside said. “It will be fun.”