RAYMOND, Miss. – Despite finding itself facing an early deficit, the Hinds football team put together a late rally before coming up short 26-14 against Itawamba on Thursday night. The Eagles drop to 3-4 overall and remains 3-1 in conference play.
 
The Eagles' defense was strong on the opening possession as they forced the Indians to a three and out. The offense took over, but their possession was cut short because of an interception. On the ensuing possession, the Indians drove down the field, but the hinds defense held them to a 21-yard field goal with 4:54 remaining in the first quarter. The score remained 3-0 at the end of the first quarter. 
 
Hinds had the ball to open the second quarter but was forced to punt at midfield and the visitors took the ball to the endzone to take a 10-0 lead with 4:28 left until halftime. Itawamba went into the break leading by 10 points.
 
Jeremy Evans provided a spark for the Eagles after he picked off Carter and took it back to the house for a touchdown and after the PAT hinds trailed by three points with 4:41 remaining in the third quarter. The Indians were going down the field at the end of the third frame and finish their drive with a touchdown to extend their lead to 10 points with 54 seconds into the fourth quarter.
 
On the next possession, the Eagles went down the field in 4:16 as Mula found Tyrell Pollard in the endzone for the 3-yard touchdown. The Eagles cut the lead to three points with 9:50 left in regulation. The Indians drained 6:17 off the clock the ended in a 38-yard field goal to take a six-point advantage with 3:33 left in the fourth quarter. 
 
The Eagles drove the ball down the field to the one-yard line but threw an interception in the endzone and Itawamba took it back for the touchdown as time expires. With the interception, the Indians sealed the 26-14 victory over the Eagles on Homecoming. 
 
Roman Mula led the offense with 18 completions for 186 yards and a touchdown, while Jayden Reed led the rushing attack with 15 rushes for 43 yards. Tyrell Pollard had a season-high 71 receiving yards and a touchdown on seven receptions.
 
On the defensive side of the ball, Kelbee Holmes led the Eagles with five total tackles and Jeremy Evans had the lone interception and returned it for the touchdown. 
 
Tanner Hollingsworth had three punts in the game for 105 yards with his longest being 48 yards. Cullen Cox had one punt in the contest for 37 yards and dropped it inside the 20-yard line.  Jerrell Boyd had three kickoff returns for 69 yards.
 
The Eagles will return to action on Saturday, October 28 against Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College in Perkinston. Kickoff is set for 3:30 PM. 

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