BOONEVILLE, Miss. - The Eagles traveled to Booneville on Thursday evening to take on the Northeast Mississippi Community College Tigers for the season opener. The Eagles would fall 20-7in the opening game of the 2023 season. 
 
The home team got off to a hot start taking the ball down the field on the opening drive of the game but missed the extra point as the Tigers took the 6-0 advantage. Both defenses held strong as the score remained 6-0 at the end of the first quarter. 
 
Cameron Dill found Kylan Vaughn in the endzone as the Tigers pushed the lead to 13-0 early in the second quarter. The Eagles attempted a 37-yard field goal just before the halftime break but came up short as the score remained 13-0 at halftime.
 
The Eagles started the second half with the ball, but the Tigers blocked a punt for a scoop and score touchdown to give Northeast the 20-point lead. Midway through the third quarter, Hinds had an opportunity to score but could not punch it across the goal line. The score remained 20-0 going into the final quarter.
 
Jerrell Boyd got the Eagles on the board early in the fourth after he hurdled a defender at the five-yard line and stayed on his feet for the touchdown to bring the score to 20-7. After the Tigers took 3:55 off the clock, the Eagles was driving down the field until Jacob foster picked off a pass from Roman Mula. On the next possession, Zamian Waller forced a fumble and Janari Powell recovered the ball. With less than two minutes left, the Eagles had the ball but could not capitalize with it as the Eagles fell 20-7 in the Season Opener.
 
Roman Mula completed 13 passes on 20 attempts, 109 passing yards, 18 rushing yards, and gave up an interception in the contest. Jerrell Boyd led the rushing attack with 80 yards on 11 attempts and scored the lone touchdown for the Eagles. Ja'Mar Grace led the receiving corps with six receptions for 62 yards.
 
On the defensive side of the ball, Isaiah Bolton finished the contest with10 total tackles and one TFL. K'Swaya Moffett Jr. totaled eight total tackles and registered a TFL. On special teams, Cullen Cox had four punts in the contest and drilled one punt inside the 20-yard line. Tanner Hollingsworth had two kickoffs for 115 yards, averaging 57.5 yards per kick.
 
As a team, the Eagles finished the game with 124 passing yards, 164 rushing yards, 60 total tackles, five TFL, and one sack.
 
The Eagles will return to action on Thursday, September 14^th against Northwest Mississippi Community College in Senatobia. Kickoff is set for 7:00 PM.
 
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