Hinds CC edges Mississippi Delta CC, 19-17

Thursday night, the Hinds Community College Eagles brought home its second win on the gridiron in as many games as they defeated the Mississippi Delta Community College Trojans 19-17.

“We didn’t play up to our level of expectations tonight,” head coach Larry Williams said. “I thought we were a little sluggish, but we made some plays when we needed to. As always, we need to keep moving forward and continue to get better every day.”

After an emotional win over perennial powerhouse East Mississippi Community College a week ago, the Eagles found themselves in a battle from the opening kickoff.

Carson Flumm, of Crystal Springs, scored the first six points of the game as he connected on two field goals, from 22 and 43 yards, giving Hinds a 6-0 lead in the first quarter.

The Trojans got on the board early in the second quarter after hitting a 32-yard field goal, cutting their deficit to just three.

The Eagles and Trojans proceeded to trade punts until the final 16 seconds of the first half. In those final 16 seconds, Hinds quarterback Elijah Walker, of Amite, La., found wide receiver Jakarius Caston, of Natchez, in the end zone from 41 yards out giving the Eagles a 12-3 lead after a missed extra point. On the ensuing kickoff, with less than six seconds left on the clock, the Trojans responded with a 70-yard kick return for a touchdown, cutting the Hinds lead to 12-10 heading into halftime.

The first score of the second half came when Hinds running back Don Ragsdale, of Pisgah, capped off an 80-yard drive with a five-yard touchdown run with 12:11 remaining in the fourth quarter. Ragsdale’s 15th career rushing touchdown gave the Eagles a 19-10 lead.

The Trojans offense would fight back and score their first touchdown of the game with 5:37 left in the game, cutting the Hinds lead to just two points, at 19-17.

Hinds then turned the remainder of the game over to star running back Ragsdale, who bulldozed his way to multiple first downs. Ragsdale gritty runs ran out the remainder of the clock and solidified the 19-17 win for the Eagles.

Ragsdale finished with 29 rushes for 161 yards and one rushing touchdown.  Walker completed 12 of his 20 passes for 190 yards and one touchdown.

On the defensive side of the ball, Kirkland Horton, of Water Valley, paced the Eagles with seven tackles. Jonathan Jordan, of Greenville, collected three tackles and one highlight-reel interception.

No. 14 ranked Hinds (2-0) will square off against the No. 17 ranked Jones College Bobcats (1-1) next Thursday, Sept. 12, on the road in Ellisville. Kickoff for that top-20 matchup is scheduled for 7 p.m.