Hinds loses 43-42 to Jones, earns MACCC title game berth

Hinds Community College lost 43-42 to Jones College on Thursday night at Gene Murphy Field at Joe Renfroe Stadium, but the Eagles secured a berth in the MACCC Championship Game against Northwest Mississippi Community College.

Hinds scored a touchdown with three seconds left when quarterback Jaylon Ruffin connected with Kiandre Terry on a 1-yard pass. The Eagles’ extra-point attempt failed, leaving them one point short. The calendar listed the championship game for Nov. 7 in Senatobia.

Ruffin completed 22 of 37 passes for 282 yards and three touchdowns. He threw scoring passes to Demar Gardner, Kelton Young and Terry. Gardner had seven catches for 76 yards, while Terry gained 79 yards on four receptions. Young caught three passes for 45 yards.

Hinds built an early 14-0 lead on touchdown plays by Gardner and Makari Bodiford. After Jones responded, CJ Martin scored on a 4-yard run to put the Eagles ahead 20-7. Jones scored three consecutive touchdowns and led 28-20 at halftime.

Jones added two field goals in the second half before Ruffin’s 31-yard touchdown pass to Young cut the gap to 34-27. Bodiford’s 2-yard scoring run made it 37-34 with 8:03 remaining. Jones then scored a touchdown, but Dayne Robichaux blocked the extra point and Raymon Mckneely returned the ball for a two-point conversion, according to Hinds.

Bodiford led Hinds with 89 yards and two touchdowns on 14 carries. Martin added 40 yards and a touchdown on seven attempts. The Eagles totaled 435 yards of offense and 28 first downs.

Brandon Brooks led Hinds with 11 tackles. Floyd Harris had 10 tackles and a sack, and Andre Jackson Jr. recorded eight tackles, two tackles for loss and a forced fumble. Hinds’ defense totaled seven tackles for loss and forced two fumbles.

Source: Original Article