Fayette native Jabari Watson helped Hinds CC to a win over Jones

Fayette native Jabari Watson helped Hinds CC football team to a win over No. 12 Jones College on Thursday. Watson threw two touchdowns and finished with 98 passing yards and rushed for 78 yards. 

Jabari is a graduate of Jefferson County High School.

Thursday’s story from Hinds CC can be viewed below:

RAYMOND, Miss. – The Hinds Community College Football team picked up their first win of the season after knocking off #12 Jones College 17-16 on Thursday evening at Gene Murphy Field at Joe Renfroe Stadium during our annual “Pink Out” night.

Hinds used nine plays to go down the field and grab the early field goal to take the 3-0 advantage on the opening drive. Both defenses played well for the rest of the first quarter as Hinds led 3-0 going into the second quarter.

With 10:53 remaining in the first half, Jones leveled the contest up at 3-3. The Eagles quickly responded when Jabari Watson connected with Tyrell Pollard for the first touchdown of the contest. The Eagles regained their lead to bring the score to 10-3. Just before the halftime break, the Bobcats once again tied things up with a four-yard touchdown pass. 

Jones would take the lead for the first time in the game midway through the third quarter when Baglione connected on a 28-yard field goal to make the score 13-10. Hinds did not back down without a fight as Jabari Watson found Tyrell Pollard in the endzone for the second time in the game. Hinds took the 17-13 advantage going into the final 15 minutes of play.

It was a defensive battle in the final quarter as Jones narrowed the lead to 17-16 when they elected for the field goal at the 10:47 mark of the fourth quarter. Hinds’ defense was stellar on the final drive of the contest with 1:02 left in regulation and the game on the line. The Bobcats elected to go for it on fourth down, but TJ Kelly and Gavin Drones broke up the pass as the Bobcats turned it over on downs and the Eagles went to victory formation. Hinds went on to upset #12 Jones College by a final of 17-16.

Defensively, Gavin Drones led the Eagles with eight total tackles, while Walter Owens and RJ Hallfinished the contest with seven tackles and each player registered a forced fumble. Kearris Gilliam had the lone interception of the night for Hinds. 

Offensively, Jabari Watson led the Eagles going 7-for-14 through the air and registered 98 total passing yards. Additionally, he threw two passing touchdowns and led the rushing attack with nine attempts for 78 yards. Tyrell Pollard led the receiving corps with three receptions for 50 yards and grabbed both touchdowns on the night. 

Tanner Hollingsworth handled the kicking duties for the Eagles and logged five punts for 160 yards for an average of 33.4 yards per punt. Additionally, he was 1-1 on field goals making a 44 yarder and was 2-2 on PATs.

The Eagles will return to action on Saturday, October 19th against Southwest Mississippi Community College in Summit. Kickoff with the Bears is set for 5:00 PM.