RAYMOND - Hinds Community College football hopes to continue the momentum of last season during the 2022 campaign where they enter the season ranked eighth.
In 2021, Hinds football competed in the Salt City Bowl and finished 13th in the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) with a 9-3 overall record. The Eagles also appeared in the Mississippi Association of Community Colleges Conference (MACCC) championship game after knocking off top-ranked East Mississippi in the semifinals.
"We have a really talented roster," said head coach
Larry Williams. "We bring a lot of experience and speed to the defensive side of the ball, but we are relying on very talented newcomers to help us succeed at certain key positions on offense and special teams."
OFFENSE
The Eagle's offense returns eight starters with hopes of having the same offensive success from 2021. In 2021, the Eagle offense had a balanced attack, averaging 176 yards on the ground and 189.6 yards through the air.
Ruben Lee II (Moss Point) takes the reins of the Eagle offense in 2022. Lee will be backed up by
Octavious Griffin (Decatur, Ga.) and
Ranson Oakes (Raymond).
The Eagles return a loaded backfield that consists of the 2021 Region 23 MVP
Jeffrey Pittman (Taylorsville). Both
Jamarian Samuels (Ocala, Fla.) and
Cedric Phillips (Vicksburg) are returning for their sophomore seasons and will back up Pittman.
At wide receiver, the Eagles return several experienced players. Among those names are
Deontez White (Jackson),
Kyziah Pruitt (Macon),
Kaleb Mosley (Louisville) and
Carsson DeYoung (Clinton). Other receivers vying for time include
Michael Lott (Miami, Fla.),
Malachi Townsend (Newman) and
Jamar Grace (DeKalb).
The offensive line is anchored by sophomores
Chris Winston (Vicksburg),
Jonquez Roby (West Point),
Justin Bryant (Pearl) and
Michael Martin Jr. (Hattiesburg). Sophomores
Kendall Watkins Jr. (Raymond) and
Melvin Jones (Jackson), along with freshmen Dontavious Bell (Vicksburg),
Jarred Caston (Terry),
Keyidric Dixon (Lexington),
Peyton Dooley (Brandon),
Kendrick Watkins (Raymond) and
Tyler Williams (Indianola) add depth in the trenches in 2022.
DEFENSE
On the defensive side of the ball, the Eagles look to continue to smother opposing offenses. In 2021, the Eagles forced eight fumbles, had 62 tackles for loss and recorded 10 interceptions.
The defensive line is led by sophomores
Reginald Shepherd (Sebastopol),
Jaylan Ware (Starkville),
Da'Vonta Jackson (Greensboro, Ala.) and Texas A&M transfer
Derick Hunter (Fort Myers, Fla.). Sophomores
Justin Lee (Columbia),
Tramaine Chism (Tuscaloosa, Ala.),
Isaac Lee (Petal) and
Trevell Vivians (Philadelphia), along with freshmen
Ah'Morrian Ellis (Port Gibson) and
Zamian Waller (Amite, La.), are all vying for time this season.
The linebackers return sophomores
Thaddeus Bishop (Jackson) and
Anthony Bullock (Columbia). Freshmen
Kelbee Holmes (Philadelphia),
Jody Durr (Magee),
Stemarion Edwards (Hollendale) and Ladarius Matthews (Moss Point) bring more depth to the linebacker room.
The Eagle secondary features sophomores
Khiry Gee (Starkville),
Jaylen Knight (Hattiesburg),
Emahd Dabney (Jackson),
Ty'Verius Nichols (Starkville),
Mushune Walker (Macon),
Peyton Pickens (Bay Springs),
Taylor Hunt (Flowood) and
Ben Murry (Laurel). The defensive backs also have depth with freshmen
Isaiah Bolton (Columbia),
Vernorrius Chaney (Macon) and
K'Swaya Moffett Jr. (Raymond).
SPECIAL TEAMS
The special teams unit for the Eagles features sophomore kicker/punter
Ben Duncan (Florence) and sophomore long-snapper
Garren Temple (Clinton).
Freshman kicker
Louie Gatlin (Jackson) will also be in the rotation on special teams.
WATCH/CONNECT
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.
