SUMMIT – The Hinds Community College Eagle football team cruised to a 41-14 victory over the Southwest Mississippi Bears Thursday evening (Sept. 20) in Summit.
 
The Eagle offense once again started off the game on fire. Freshman running back Don Ragsdale (Pisgah), on the first play of the game, busted through the Bears defense and ran 73 yards for the touchdown. 
 
Following a fourth down stop by the Eagle defense, sophomore quarterback Tylan Morton (Griffin, Ga.) showcased his legs and found the end zone on a 22-yard run to increase Hinds' lead to 14-0 to close out the scoring in the first quarter. 
 
The Bears answered back to start the second quarter with a nine-play 72-yard drive, capped off by a one-yard touchdown run. 
 
On the ensuing drive, facing a fourth down and four yards, Hinds head coach, Larry Williams, pulled out his trick play book, and Jadarius Payne (Magee) executed the fake punt rushing 26 yards to give the Eagles a first down and great field position. The Hinds offense capitalized when Ragsdale punched in his second score of the game from 6-yards out. 
 
Leading 21-7 with under a minute to go in the second half, the Eagles handed the ball off to Ragsdale on their own 20-yard line just trying to run the clock out. Ragsdale had different plans and took the hand off 66 yards to put the Eagles in the red zone with just 24 seconds on the clock. On the very next play, Morton connected with sophomore wide receiver Eric Clark (Kemper) for the 14-yard touchdown pass to take the Eagles into the half with a 28-7 lead.
 
The second half was more of the same as the Eagles outscored the Bears 13-7. Halfway through the third quarter, Joe'Vontae Shorter (Vicksburg) took a short pass from Morton and turned it into a 60-yard touchdown.

Carson Flumm (Crystal Springs) closed out the scoring for the Eagles when he connected on two field goals of 23-yards and 35-yards. Flumm was also a perfect five for five on extra points.

Overall, the Eagle offense put up 534 yards on 367 yards rushing and 167 yards passing. Don Ragsdale led the way with 17 rushes for 195 yards and two touchdowns followed by Morton who rushed five times for 62 yards and one touchdown. Morton was also 8-14 for 167 yards and two touchdowns through the air. Eric Clark had another solid game receiving as he hauled in three receptions for 77 yards and a score. Shorter had two receptions for 66 yards and a score.
 
The Eagles improve to 2-2 overall and 1-1 in their division.

Their next game will be at home in Raymond next Thursday, September 27 against the Pearl River Community College Wildcats (0-4, 0-2). Game time is set for 6:30 p.m.