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SUMMIT - The Hinds Community College football team fired on all cylinders Thursday evening when they downed Southwest 50-3 to move to 3-1 in division play.

From the opening kickoff, the Eagles dominated the Bears on all sides of the ball.

"I thought we played a lot better because we scored early, which takes the pressure off," offensive coordinator Kelly Murphy said. "We still need to make sure we slam the door early when we get a lead in future games."

After deferring to the second half, the Eagles put their tenacious defense on the field. After the Bears marched down deep into Hinds territory on several running plays, the Eagle defense was able to hold Southwest to a Tres Ladner 42-yard field goal. This field goal would be the only points the Eagle defense allowed in the contest. The drive stalled for the Bears after a Stefon Smith (Indianola) sack and penalty on the Bear offense.

The scoring for the Eagles didn't take long in this game. On the first play from scrimmage, freshman running back Jeffrey Pittman (Taylorsville) went 80-yards to the house to give the Eagles the 6-3 lead. This 80-yard scamper was the longest play from scrimmage for the Eagle offense this season. The point after was no good, leaving the Eagles with a three point lead.

After an Eagle defense three and out on the ensuing possession, sophomore wide receiver Tabashi Thomas (Douglasville, Ga) returned the Ladner punt 46 yards to the Bear four yard line. With prime field position, the Eagle offense scored three plays later when Jeffrey Pittman punched it in from two yards out for his second rushing score of the evening. The PAT from Ben Duncan (Florence) was good, giving the Eagles a 13-3 lead.

Continuing their dominance up front, the Eagle defense forced their first fumble of the game when sophomore linebacker Ryan Davis (Clinton) hopped on the Bear loose ball. The Eagle offense would start their next drive on the Southwest 28 yard line. But, they couldn't come away with any points on a missed 29-yard field goal.

Both teams traded punts to end the first quarter of play. The score was 13-3 after one.

Both defenses forced a three and out at the opening of the second quarter. When the Eagle defense forced a punt, the offense went five plays for 46 yards and scored on a 28-yard pass from BeSean McCray (Orlando, Fla.) to Jeffrey Pittman. This score was Pittman's third score of the night. The extra point try from Houston Smith (Flowood) was good, giving Hinds the 20-3 lead.

Following recent success on special teams, the Eagles blocked the Southwest punt on the next possession and recovered the ball at the Bear 11 yard line. Coming up with the block and recovery is freshman linebacker Pizzarro Travis Jr. (Canton). Three plays later, the Eagles scored another touchdown on a six-yard pass from BeSean McCray to Tabashi Thomas. The extra point was good, leaving the Eagles with a 27-3 lead midway through the second quarter of play.

Several punts were traded by both teams towards the end of the second quarter. Coming up big for the Eagle defense was Emahd Dabney (Jackson) on a pass break-up and Malik Sims (Vicksburg) with a sack.

Rounding out a successful first half, the Eagle offense scored with 50 seconds to play. Coming up with the two-yard score was Jeffrey Pittman. Pittman finished the evening with four scores, three rushing and one through the air. The scored at the half was 36-3 after the extra point by Houston Smith was good.

After deferring at the coin toss, the Eagle offense started with the ball to open the second half. Sophomore running back Cedric Phillips (Vicksburg) capped off the seven play, 68-yard drive with a 30-yard score of his own. The PAT from Ben Duncan was good, leaving the score at 43-3 in favor of Hinds.

The Eagle defense forced another punt, giving the ball back to the Hinds offense. But, they were forced to punt after three plays. Seeing the field on the drive were Elijah Williams (Salpulpa, Okla.) and Robert Jackson III (Lexington).

The ensuing Bear possession came to an end on fourth down when the Eagles forced an incomplete Freddie Byrd pass. Coming up big for the Hinds defense was defensive lineman Brandon King (Ruleville). The sophomore had two tackles for loss on that drive. At the end of three quarters, the Eagles were up 43-3 over Southwest.

On the next Eagle drive, the offense went nine plays for 80 yards and scored with 5:49 left in the game. This drive was capped off by a Ruben Lee II (Moss Point) 24-yard pass to Niselbyion Kirk (Louisville). Making key plays on the drive were Robert Jackson III, Cedric Phillips, Ranson Oakes (Raymond) and Carsson DeYoung (Clinton). The point after from Ben Duncan was good, giving the Eagles a 50-3 lead.

The next possession by the Bears stalled after a missed 45-yard field goal, giving the Eagles the 50-3 win at the final buzzer.

Other top performers:
Jeffrey Pittman: 11 carries, 130 yards, 3 touchdowns. 3 receptions, 48 yards, 1 touchdown.
Houston Smith: 5 punts, 193 yards, 38.6 average, 53 yard long.
Thaddeus Bishop (Jackson): 6 tackles, 4 unassisted, 2 assisted, 1 tackle for loss

Up next for the Eagles is the homecoming game against East Central Community College on Thursday, October 21. The game is set to kick off at 7 p.m. in Raymond.
 
Fans will be able to watch Hinds football games live here: https://hindsccsports.net/channel-1/
 
You can also follow @HindsCC_FB for live in-game updates.