RAYMOND, Miss. – The Hinds Community College football team came up just short in a 43-42 shootout against Jones College on Thursday night at Gene Murphy Field at Joe Renfroe Stadium. Despite the heartbreaking finish, the Eagles have secured a spot in the MACCC Championship Game on November 7th.
Hinds battled throughout the contest, trading scores with Jones in a back-and-forth matchup that came down to the final seconds. The Eagles finished with 435 yards of total offense, including 282 passing yards and 153 rushing yards, while recording 28 first downs.
Quarterback Jaylon Ruffin led the Hinds offense, completing 22 of 37 passes for 282 yards and three touchdowns. Ruffin connected with three different receivers for scores, finding Demar Gardner on a 20-yard touchdown in the first quarter, Kelton Young on a 31-yard scoring strike in the third quarter and Kiandre Terry on a one-yard touchdown pass with three seconds remaining.
Hinds opened the game with an impressive offensive drive, covering 79 yards in 12 plays to take a 7-0 lead on Gardner's touchdown reception. The Eagles extended their advantage to 14-0 later in the first quarter when Makari Bodiford broke free for a 13-yard rushing touchdown.
After Jones responded, Hinds added another score early in the second quarter. CJ Martin capped an 83-yard drive with a four-yard touchdown run, giving the Eagles a 20-7 lead. Jones answered with three consecutive touchdowns to take a 28-20 advantage into halftime.
The Eagles continued to fight in the second half. After Jones added two field goals to extend its lead, Ruffin connected with Young for a 31-yard touchdown, cutting the deficit to 34-27 late in the third quarter.
Hinds pulled within three points early in the fourth quarter when Bodiford punched in a two-yard touchdown run, making it 37-34 with 8:03 remaining. Jones responded with a touchdown to regain the advantage, but Dayne Robichaux blocked the extra point and Raymon Mckneely scooped it up for the 2-point conversion.
Ruffin directed a late 65-yard drive, completing the comeback attempt with a one-yard touchdown pass to Terry with just three seconds left. Hinds attempted to tie the game with the extra point, but the kick was unsuccessful, leaving the Eagles just short at 43-42.
Gardner led the receiving corps with seven catches for 76 yards and a touchdown, while Terry added four receptions for 79 yards and a score. DJ Miller recorded five catches for 69 yards, and Young finished with three receptions for 45 yards and a touchdown.
On the ground, Bodiford led Hinds with 89 rushing yards and two touchdowns on 14 carries. Martin added 40 yards and a touchdown on seven attempts, while Ruffin contributed 282 passing yards and three passing touchdowns.
Defensively, Brandon Brooks led the Eagles with 11 total tackles, including eight solo stops. Floyd Harris finished with 10 tackles and one sack, while Andre Jackson Jr. recorded eight tackles, two tackles for loss and a forced fumble. The Hinds defense totaled seven tackles for loss and forced two fumbles.
Despite the narrow loss, Hinds will turn its attention to the MACCC Championship Game on November 7, where the Eagles will have an opportunity to compete for a conference title against Northwest Mississippi Community College in Senatobia.
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