SUMMIT, Miss. – The Hinds Community College football team opened South Division play with a victory Thursday night, defeating Southwest Mississippi Community College, 17-10, in Summit at John I. Hurst Stadium. With the win, the Eagles improve to 2-2 overall and 1-0 in MACCC South Division play.
Hinds jumped out to a 17-0 lead and held off a fourth-quarter rally by the Bears to secure the road victory.
The Eagles got on the scoreboard early when Braylen Spann connected on a 36-yard field goal with 7:34 remaining in the first quarter, giving Hinds a 3-0 lead.
Quarterback Jaylon Ruffin then connected with Kelton Young on a 35-yard touchdown pass midway through the second quarter to extend the lead to 10-0. Ruffin added another touchdown pass later in the second quarter, finding Kiandre Terry for a one-yard score on fourth down to give the Eagles a 17-0 advantage heading into halftime.
Ruffin finished the night 19-of-33 passing for 177 yards and two touchdowns. Young led the Eagles with 45 rushing yards on three carries and added one reception for 35 yards and a touchdown.
Terry recorded six receptions for 46 yards and a touchdown, while DJ Miller hauled in five passes for 68 yards. Makari Bodiford led the rushing attack with 68 yards on 15 carries.
After being held scoreless through the first three quarters, Southwest cut into the Hinds lead in the fourth quarter with a 32-yard field goal from Simon Naylor before Jakari Williams connected with Tajh Williby on a 45-yard touchdown pass to make it 17-10. The Eagles' defense held strong in the closing minutes to preserve the victory.
Defensively, Hinds recorded 50 total tackles, including seven tackles for loss and two interceptions. Floyd Harris and Dayne Robichaux led the Eagles with six tackles apiece, while Narco Dunn added five. Andre Jackson Jr. and Zedric Washington each recorded a half-sack, while Elijah Hunter and Jvaris Walden each intercepted a Southwest pass.
Wyatt Long was also effective in the special teams game, averaging 38.9 yards on seven punts for 272 yards, with a long of 48 yards and three punts downed inside the 20-yard line.
Hinds will return to Gene Murphy Field at Joe Renfroe Stadium on Thursday, September 24th for Sophomore Night against East Central CC. Kickoff is set for 6:30 PM.
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