Fans will get a chance to meet the 2010 version of the Pearl River CC Wildcats football team on Thursday, just a week before they open the season.

Pearl River Community College’s annual “Meet the Wildcats Night” is set for 5:30 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 26, at Dobie Holden Stadium.

The 2010 Wildcat football team, featuring head football coach Tim Hatten and his staff, the men’s and women’s soccer teams, and all other college sports teams, the Spirit of the River marching band, the String of Pearls dance team and the PRCC cheerleading squad will be introduced.

Following the introductions, a Back to School Bash will be held from 7-10 p.m. at the stadium. Musical entertainment will be provided for students, as well as obstacle course competitions for students.

“This will include things like relay races, limbo competitions, tug-o-wars and various events sponsored by student groups on campus,” said Tom Smith, coordinator of student life on campus. “We want all our students, including our resident students, to participate in this back-to-school event.”

PRCC fall athletics kick off next week with the soccer schedule. The Wildcat women host Mississippi College at 3 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 27. Both soccer teams play at home on Wednesday, Sept. 1, against Holmes Community College. The women play at 2 p.m. and the men at 4.

The Wildcat football team opens its season Thursday, Sept. 2, at home against Northwest Community College. Kickoff is at 7 p.m. The second game of the season, Sept. 9, at home against Itawamba.

Pearl River Community  College enters the 2010 football season ranked No. 13 in the NJCAA preseason poll released Wednesday. Hatten’s Wildcats are one of six teams in the MACJC in the Top 25 preseason rankings. Defending South Division champion and state runner-up Mississippi Gulf Coast leads the way with a No. 5 ranking, followed by defending state and North champ East Mississippi at No. 7. Jones County is No. 19, Northwest Mississippi No. 22, and Coahoma No. 25.

“You’re just proud to get the attention,” said Hatten, who saw the Wildcats miss the post-season playoffs last season after finishing 6-3 overall and 3-3 in the South Division. “The bottom line is to just win. Win games and the poll rankings take care of themselves.”

 Reserved season football tickets and a new all-sports pass are now on sale.

Tickets for all five home games, with seats in the chair-back section on the 50-yard line, are $65 each. Walk-up individual tickets in the reserved section are $15 each. The entire center section will be chair backs for reserved seating.

General admission tickets this season are $5 for students and $10 for adults.

The new all-sports pass will also be offered for 2010-11 for $100. This pass includes a reserved ticket for football, as well as entrance to any PRCC regular-season sports event on campus.