POPLARVILLE, Miss. – The Hinds Community College football team delivered a dominant performance Thursday night, defeating Pearl River Community College 56-20 at Dobie Holden Stadium to extend its winning streak and remain unbeaten in South Division play. With the victory, the Eagles improve to 5-2 overall and 3-0 in South Division competition. Hinds used a fast start, explosive offensive plays and a strong defensive effort to secure the road win.
Hinds wasted little time getting on the scoreboard. After Raymon McNeely intercepted a Pearl River pass on the Wildcats' opening possession, the Eagles capitalized on the turnover. Jaylon Ruffin connected with Demar Gardner on a 7-yard touchdown pass to give Hinds a 7-0 lead with 13:26 remaining in the first quarter.
The Eagles' defense quickly added to the advantage, recording a safety to make it 9-0. Hinds followed with another explosive scoring drive as Ruffin found De'Traun Brown for a 35-yard touchdown, extending the lead to 16-0 just 12 minutes into the game.
Pearl River responded with a 29-yard touchdown pass from Jackson Firmin to Ethan Bobo, but Hinds answered with a six-play, 46-yard drive capped by a 5-yard touchdown run from Makari Bodiford. The Eagles took a 22-7 advantage into the second quarter.
Hinds continued to build its lead in the second quarter. Ruffin connected with Derreon Rogers for a 23-yard touchdown to cap a 79-yard drive, pushing the advantage to 28-7.
The Eagles' defense then forced a fumble, with Joshua Williams recovering the loose ball at the Pearl River 25-yard line. Hinds took advantage of the short field, as Bodiford punched in a 2-yard touchdown run to extend the lead to 35-7 with 5:42 remaining in the first half.
The Eagles carried their momentum into the second half. After Pearl River put together a scoring drive capped by a 6-yard touchdown run from Triston Cooper, Hinds answered with a six-play, 67-yard drive. Bodiford broke free for a 33-yard touchdown run, completing his third rushing score of the night and giving the Eagles a 42-14 lead.
Hinds struck again just minutes later with one of its biggest plays of the game. Ruffin connected with Kiandre Terry for a 70-yard touchdown pass, extending the advantage to 48-14 with 4:46 remaining in the third quarter.
Pearl River added a touchdown early in the fourth quarter to cut the deficit to 48-20 after a blocked extra-point attempt. Hinds' Yasir Muhammed returned the blocked kick 97 yards for two points, pushing the lead to 50-20.
The Eagles' defense delivered the final blow when Keannan Palmer intercepted a Pearl River pass and returned it 29 yards for a touchdown with 3:28 remaining. Although the extra-point attempt was unsuccessful, the defensive score sealed Hinds' 56-20 victory.
Offensively, Hinds finished with 475 total yards, including 325 passing yards and 150 rushing yards, while recording 26 first downs.
Ruffin led the passing attack, completing 16 of 30 attempts for 316 yards and four touchdowns. Terry led the receiving corps with five catches for 102 yards and a touchdown, while Brown finished with three receptions for 98 yards and a touchdown. Rogers added two catches for 39 yards and a score, and Gardner contributed two receptions for 19 yards and a touchdown.
Bodiford paced the ground game with 65 yards on seven carries and three touchdowns. Dj Miller added 27 rushing yards and caught three passes for 54 yards, while Malik Montgomery contributed 24 rushing yards.
Defensively, the Eagles recorded 70 total tackles, nine tackles for loss and three sacks. Hinds also forced two turnovers through the air, returning one interception for a touchdown, and recovered a fumble.
Floyd Harris led the Eagles with nine total tackles, including one sack. Narco Dunn followed with eight tackles, while Trevionn Morton, Brandon Brooks, Hayes Dickens, Jamaris Johnson and Jaden Stingley recorded five tackles apiece. Zechariah Smith added two sacks for 14 yards and forced a fumble, while McNeely and Palmer each recorded an interception.
Hinds limited Pearl River to 217 total yards, including 129 passing yards and 88 rushing yards. The Wildcats finished with 18 first downs and turned the ball over four times, including two interceptions and two lost fumbles.
The Eagles will return home Thursday, October 15, to host Copiah-Lincoln Community College for Homecoming on Gene Murphy FIeld at Joe Renfroe Stadium. Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m.
For the latest news on Hinds Athletics, follow @HindsAthletics on Twitter and Instagram, and like us on Facebook.
