RAYMOND – The Hinds Eagles surprised No. 12 Jones College 17-16 here Thursday night at Joe Renfroe Stadium.
It was the first victory of the season for Hinds. The Eagles are now 1-5 overall, 1-2 in the MACCC South Division. The Bobcats fall to 3-3 overall, 1-2 in division play.
Jones had plenty of chances in the game, but could not capitalize.
The Bobcats had a first and goal at the 1-yard line in the second quarter, but could only manage a field goal.
Early in the fourth quarter, the Bobcats drove to the Hinds 38, but had an interception on a fourth and 2. Later, Jones recovered a fumble at the Eagle 27, but could only get a field goal. In the final five minutes of the game, the Bobcats turned the ball over on downs at the Hinds 39 and 37, respectively.
The Eagles fumbled seven times in the game, but the Bobcats recovered only two of those.
Hinds started the game well, driving 33 yards in nine plays for a score. Tanner Hollingsworth booted a 44-yard field goal and the Eagles led 3-0 with 10:34 left in the first quarter.
The Bobcats tied it at 3-3 when
Christian Baglione (Northwest Rankin) kicked a 22-yard field with 10:53 left in the first half to end a 35-yard, five-play drive.
But the Eagles took the ensuing kickoff and drove 86 yards in eight plays. Quarterback Jabari Watson tossed a 23-yard touchdown pass to Tyrell Pollard and Hollingsworth's PAT made it 10-3 with 7:33 to play in the second quarter.
But the Bobcats would tie it right before the end of the half, marching 81 yards in five plays. Quarterback
Blake Murphy (Plantation, Fla.) connected with
Marlon Lindsey Jr. (West Jones) on a 4-yard touchdown pass and Baglione's kick made it 10-10 with 57 seconds remaining in the first half.
Jones took its only lead of the night at 13-10 when Baglione kicked a 28-yard field goal with 7:47 remaining in the third quarter. That ended a 55-yard, six-play drive.
But Hinds quickly answered by driving 73 yards in just seven plays. Watson again connected with Pollard, this time on a 15-yard touchdown pass. Hollingsworth's extra point made it 17-13 with 4:36 to play in the third quarter.
Early in the fourth quarter, Jones'
Chase Pinkston (Oak Grove) recovered an Eagle fumble at the Hinds' 27. Four plays later, Baglione kicked a 31-yard field goal to end the scoring.
The Bobcats ended the game with 18 first downs, 94 yards rushing, 202 yards passing and 296 yards of total offense. Hinds had 14 first downs, 170 yards rushing, 106 yards passing and 276 yards of total offense.
Each team had three turnovers. The Bobcats ran 71 plays and Hinds had 59 snaps.
Ky'Yon Harris (Union) rushed 11 times for 69 yards for the Bobcats. Murphy completed 18-of-34 passes for 202 yards, one touchdown and one interception. Lindsey had five catches for 67 yards and a touchdown and
Harrison Knight (Foley, Ala.) had four receptions for 49 yards.
Kelten Mickell (Petal) had seven tackles and Pinkston and
Chance Barron (Mendenhall) had six each. Barron and
Tayton James (Mendenhall) each had a pass breakup. Pinkston and
Tyrice Holloway (Bay Springs) each had a fumble recovery and
Josh Brown (Columbia) had a pass interception.
Zechariah Parodi (Scott Central) had a sack which resulted in a 26-yard loss.
The Bobcats will host East Central for Homecoming at 2 p.m. on Oct. 19. The Warriors upset third-ranked and previously unbeaten Mississippi Gulf Coast, 24-20, on Thursday.
Hinds visits Southwest on Oct. 19.
