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RAYMOND – The Hinds Community College Eagle defense was on full display Thursday (Sept. 19) evening as they shutout the Southwest Mississippi Community College (SMCC) Bears 10-0.

"Our defense and special teams played an outstanding game. Good teams pick each other up, and that is what our defense and special teams did for us tonight," said head coach Larry Williams.

The Hinds defense forced three turnovers on downs, had eight tackles for losses, recovered three fumbles, and allowed SMCC to obtain just 208 total yards of offense.

The Eagles offense scored the only touchdown of the game just five minutes into the first quarter when quarterback Jack Garrad (Madison) found Joe'vontae Shorter (Vicksburg) in the end zone from eight-yards out. The touchdown capped an 11-play 66-yard drive.

The other Eagles score came off the foot of kicker Conner Smith (Vicksburg) who connected on a 21-yard field goal with ten minutes remaining in the fourth quarter.

Sophomore running back Don Ragsdale (Pisgah) led the way for the Hinds offense as he tallied 27 carries for 107 rushing yards. He also caught three passes for 20 yards.

Freshman punter Houston Smith also played a crucial role in the ball game as he punted six times for a total of 252 yards. Smith pinned the Bears offense inside their own 20-yard line four times with his longest punt traveling 62 yards.

On defense, sophomore linebacker Amos Robinson (Hollendale) led the way with seven tackles, one sack and one pass break up. Freshman defensive lineman Jaylen Heffner (Batesville) also had a solid night as he recorded six tackles including two tackles for losses. Accord Green (New Orleans, LA), Quesean Delgado (Gulfport), and Demario Nichols (Pearl) each recovered a fumble. Nichols 45-yard fumble recovery almost ended up in the end zone before he was tripped up inside the SMCC 10-yard line as time expired on the clock in the first half.

The Eagles came into the game ranked 19^th in the nation by the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA), and with tonight's victory they improved their overall record to 3-1 on the season.

Hinds (3-1, 1-1) will look to build upon their first MACJC South Division win when they take on the Pearl River Community College Wildcats (1-3, 0-2) next Thursday (Sept. 26) on the road in Poplarville. Kickoff for the MACJC South Division game is scheduled for 6:00 p.m.