[9/5/03]Bubba Mims doesn’t want to refer to tonight’s game against Sharkey-Issaquena Academy as a must-win.

But it sure is important.

The surprising Confederates and first-year coach Paul Kirchharr enter tonight’s game undefeated, and in a conference that is loaded with talent, Mims said every conference game is imperative.

“I knew they had a lot of talent,” Mims said. “They had a lot of talent last year, and a lot of those guys returned. That new coach up there has them working in the right direction.”

Kirchharr, who came to SIA from a Class 3A school in Alabama, would not comment on the game against PCA.

Mims’ concerns stretch farther than just worrying about the Confederates.

He lost three-year starter Lance Gullett to an apparent leg injury in a 24-0 loss to Central Hinds one week ago.

Gullett, a 250-pound offensive and defensive lineman, was a stalwart on the Eagles’ defense. He was limping toward practice yesterday and further tests were to be conducted, Mims said. He will definitely miss this game, however.

Mims said last week’s 24-0 loss to Academy-AAA Central Hinds was not as bad as the score indicated. Several mistakes, turnovers and bad bounces contributed to the loss, Mims said.

“We had a touchdown called back and a few other things didn’t go our way,” Mims said. “Twenty-four to nothing is a pretty good beating, but we really played better than that.”

Sharkey shut out CM&I 27-0 in their first game, and upended Winona Christian last week.

Running backs Jess Hodnett and Zach McDaniel will carry the brunt of the offensive load for the Confederates.

“Both do a real good job,” Mims said. “They are by no means one dimensional.”