RAYMOND, Miss. - Twenty-six years. Two decades of unforgettable moments, countless players, and a football tradition built on championship expectations. Now, the Hinds Eagles have an opportunity to add another chapter to that tradition.
On Saturday, November 7, Hinds will travel to Senatobia to face Northwest Mississippi Communtiy College in the MACCC Championship Game. Kickoff is set for 2 p.m. at Bobby Franklin Field at Ranger Stadium. For the Eagles, the stakes could not be higher. A victory would deliver the program's first state football championship since 2000 and it's 14th overall.
A Season Worth Remembering
Under second-year head coach Chris Jones, Hinds has put togehter one of its most exciting seasons in recent memory. After opening the year with two losses, the Eagles responded with seven straight wins, emerging as the MACCC South Division champions and earning their place in the championship game before anyone else.
The Eagles enter Saturyday's matchup with a 7-3 overall record and a 5-1 mark in South Division play. At the center of the Eagles' success has been an explosive offense averaging 37 points per game, led by Sophomore quarterback Jaylon Ruffin. Ruffin has estabilsed himself as one of the conference's most dynamic playmakers, throwing for 2,567 yards and 27 touchdowns during the regular season while rewriting the Hinds record books.
In a thrilling 49-42 victory over nationally ranked Mississippi Gulf Coast, Ruffin delivered a historic performance with 456 passing yards, 136 rushing yards, and six total touchdowns. His passing performance established a Hinds single-game record, while he also broke the program's career total offense record. Running back Makari Bodiford has provided another dangerous weapon for the Eagles, rushing for 554 yards and nine touchdowns. Defensively, Floyd Harris has anchored the unit with 69 tackles, while Jermiah Campbell has recorded four interceptions.
The Eagles have shown throughout the season that they have the offensive firepower and resilience to compete with the best teams in the country. Now comes the biggest challenge.
A Familiar Opponent. Unfinished Business.
Standing between Hinds and the championship is a familiar opponent. Northwest Mississippi enters the contest with an 8-2 overall record after completing an undefeated 6-0 run through the MACCC North. The Rangers are seeking their third consecutive conference championship.
The match up also carries a reminder of the Eagles' last appearance in the state title game. On November 13, 2021, Hinds traveled to Senatobia to face Northwest with a championship on the line. The Rangers came away with a 56-21 victory, denying the Eagles an opportunity to end their title drought. Five years later, the championship road once again leads to Senatobia.
The players and coaches are different, but the opportunity remains the same: bring the title back to Raymond. Northwest presents a difficult challenge, particularly on defense, where the Rangers have allowed just 16.8 points per game. The contest will feature one of the conference's most productive offenses against one of its toughest defenses. For Hinds, Saturday represents another opportunity to prove itself on the biggest stage.
Playing for More Than a Trophy
Championships have always been part of the Hinds tradition. The Eagles have captured 13 conference championships throughout the programs's history, including six under legendary head coach Gene Murphy. Hinds last claimed the title in 2000, closing out one of the most successful eras in Mississippi community college football history.
Since then, generations of student-athletes have worn the maroon and white, each hoping to add their names to the program's championship legacy. Saturday's game offers the 2026 Eagles that opportunity. Across the Hinds community, the excitement is building. Former players, alumni, students, faculty, staff, and supporters are rallying behind a team that has brought championship football back into the spotlight.
For many Eagles, the game is an opportunity to reconnect with a program that helped shape their lives. For current players, it is a chance to create memories that will last long after their playing careers have ended. And for Hinds Community College, it is an opportunity to celebrate the tradition, pride, and determination that have defined the program for generations.
One Game. One Goal. One Championship
When the Eagles take the field Saturday afternoon, 26 years of championship history will be part of the moment. The records, rankings, and statistics have helped tell the story of this season. But none of those numbers will determine what happens when the ball is spotted in Senatobia. That will be decided on the field. One final opportunity stands between Hinds and a championship that has eluded the program for more than a quarter-century. For the players who have given everything to reach this moment, for the coaches who have led them, and for generations of Eagles who came before them, Saturday offers the chance to make history.
MACCC Championship Game Information
🏈 Hinds Eagles vs. Northwest Rangers
🏆 MACCC State Championship
📅 Saturday, November 7, 2026
⏰ 2:00 PM
📍 Bobby Franklin Field at Ranger Stadium | Senatobia, MS
📺 Watch Live: HindsTV
📻 Listen Live: 106.3 The Fan
