Hinds CC loses to Iowa Western 34-19 to close its football season

The number eight ranked Hinds Community College Eagle football program fell to the number four ranked Iowa Western Community College Reivers, 34-19, Sunday, Dec. 8, in the 2019 Graphic Edge Bowl.

Both teams entered the game not having played in at least a month. Hind’s last game was on Oct. 24 while IWCC’s last game was Nov. 9.

The first half proved to be a defensive battle between the Eagles and Reivers as both teams attempted to knock off the rust on offense. In fact, the first three scores of the game were scored by either special teams or defense.

IWCC kicked off the scoring with a made 22-yard field goal attempt with 7:52 left on the clock in the first quarter and followed that up with a made 31-yard field goal with 3:42 left in the first quarter to take a 6-0 lead.

Trailing 6-0 with 14:52 left in the second quarter, DeMario Nichols, of Pearl, gave the Eagles the boost they needed when he intercepted the Reiver’s pass and returned 14 yards for the game tying touchdown. The extra point attempt was no good.

The Eagles and Reivers went into halftime with the score knotted up at 6-6.

IWCC got their second half off to a good start with a three-play, 55-yard drive that was capped off by a 31-yard touchdown pass. The 31-yard touchdown gave the Reivers a 13-6 lead with 13:55 remaining in the third quarter.

The Reivers would then add onto their lead with a one-yard touchdown run with 4:24 left in the third quarter, which brought the score to 20-6.

The Eagles then did what they have done all year long, and they fought their way back into the game.

With 1:39 left in the third quarter, the Eagles’ offense capped off a six-play, 65-yard drive with a 13-yard touchdown run from Joe’Vontae Shorter, of Vicksburg.

The Reivers responded with 9:15 remaining in the game, with a four-play 47-yard drive that was finished off with a 15-yard touchdown run.

Trailing 27-12 with under seven minutes left in regulation, the Eagles defense flipped the momentum back to Hinds when Artavious Washington, of Lexington, jumped the Reiver receiver’s route, intercepted the IWCC pass, and returned it 69-yards for a touchdown. The pick six cut the Eagles’ deficit to just one score, 27-19, with 6:20 left in the fourth quarter.

IWCC, however, was able to control the clock as they put together a five-minute drive that was completed with a four-yard touchdown run. The touchdown run sealed the deal for the Reivers as they held off the Eagles the final minute of the game to secure the 34-19 victory.

“I am just proud of my team. These guys played hard all year long and never gave in,” said third-year head coach Larry Williams. “We had great leadership from our sophomore class, and I want to thank them for that and wish them the best of luck in their future endeavors. They will always be a part of our family. As for the guys coming back, we are looking forward to getting after it in the spring and summer to continue to improve as a program and get ready for the 2020 season.

The Eagles finished the 2019 season ranked eighth in the National Junior College Athletic Association’s final poll with a 7-3 overall record.

DeMario Nichols was named the 2019 Graphic Edge Bowl Defensive Most Valuable Player as he finished with five tackles, one forced fumble, one interception and one defensive touchdown (14-yard interception return).