CCC vs. Hinds Post Game Wrap-Up

5/16/13

RAYMOND – Freshman quarterback Anthony D’Angelo’s two second-half touchdown strikes helped propel fifth-ranked Hinds Community College Eagles to a 41-13 victory over the Coahoma Community College Tigers here Thursday night.

After a lackluster first half that saw Hinds, 2-0, nurse a 7-0 lead into intermission, head coach Gene Murphy turned to D’Angelo to get the Eagle offense in better sync.

D’Angelo connected with wide receiver Quantavius Leslie on scoring strikes of 87 and 69 yards. Leslie’s first TD pass came with 9:49 in the third period as the Eagles moved in front, 14-0. Leslie caught the 69-yarder with 11:19 left in the game as Hinds took a commanding 31-7 lead. Leslie has already committed to play for LSU.

Running back Jabari Baker was the Eagles most effective ground gainer scoring touchdowns on runs of 21 and seven yards. Baker’s 21-yard score came with 8:24 in the second period breaking open a scoreless game. His second TD came with 8:42 remaining in the third quarter.

Hinds placekicker Tyler Poe connected on two fields goals.

D’Angelo completed six of 11 passes for 195 yards and two touchdowns. He was brought on after freshman quarterback Christopher Nelson experienced a rough first half connecting on three of 17 passes for five yards and two interceptions.

CCC, 0-2, played well for a half particularly on defense. After their 64-14 thrashing at the hands of Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College on Sept. 1, the Tigers played heads up ball making stops on running games and hurrying Nelson’s passes.

The Tigers squandered a golden opportunity to take an early lead when placekicker Johnathan O’Hara’s 30-yard field goal attempt sailed wide right with 6:29 in the first quarter.

Tiger quarterback Quantavious Peterson had the Tigers moving until the missed field goal.

Penned back at their own four yard line following a 60-yard punt by Tyler Poe, the Tigers marched down field behind Peterson who relied primarily on the running of sophomore Daveonn Porter to open some holes in the Hinds’ experienced defensive line.

Peterson connected with wide receiver Tyshun Alston for a 15-yard pass that gave CCC more breathing room at its 19.

Peterson found Jordan Taylor open for a 51-yard reception to the Hinds’ 35.

Alston made a valiant effort to haul in a pass at the Hinds goal line before the ball fell just out of his reach.

From there the Tigers stayed on the ground to reach the Hinds’ 20 before their momentum stalled.

CCC defensive back Monte Bass spoiled Nelson’s best opportunity for a scoring pass play with an interception at the Tigers’ end zone as the first half expired.

CCC’s first score came on an interception by Landerick Conley who picked off a D’Angelo pass and raced 17 yards for a TD with 2:18 in the third period cutting Hinds’ lead to 31-7.

The other Tiger touchdown came with 9:04 to play when Roderick McKee hit Dontez Jordan on a 26-yard pass play with 9:04 to play. The conversion failed.

Hinds running back Gregory Foster ended all scoring when he plunged over from the CCC one with 40 seconds left and Poe split the uprights for the PAT.

Cedrick Blue, who led Coahoma County High School to successive conference titles, went both ways picking up good yardage on the ground and complementing Bass on defense. Blue picked off a D’Angelo pass in the second half.

Blue’s brother, Damion, who also starred at CCHS, was in on a number of tackles for Hinds.

Hinds lead in every offensive category. The Eagles rolled up 25 first downs to CCC’s 12. The Eagles gained 321 yards rushing on 51 carries. CCC had 96 yards on 38 carries.

Hinds compiled 230 yards passing hitting nine of 30 passes. CCC had 194 yards passing connecting on 12 of 22 plays.

CCC travels to Senatobia Sept. 13 to take on the Northwest Mississippi Community College Rangers. Hinds heads southwest to face Mississippi Gulf Coast CC.