The Hinds Community College Eagles football team is going through an unusual midseason slide, and Saturday was no indication of any change toward getting back on the winning track. The Eagles lost to the Southwest Bears, 21-9, on Saturday in Summit, dropping Hinds to 2-4 overall and 1-3 in the South division.

The loss was the third straight for Hinds, a program steeped in gridiron tradition.

Southwest (2-3 overall, 2-2 South) got on the board first in the contest when quarterback Ryan McCall found a wide-open Johnell Johnson for a 63-yard touchdown reception. Les Mulkey knocked the PAT through to put Southwest ahead 7-0 with 10:15 left in the opening quarter.

The Hinds offense, which had five turnovers, had trouble getting things going. Hinds quarterback Wesley Mounger of Clinton threw the first of his four interceptions with just over two minutes left in the first quarter, and Roteddrick Clinton returned the pick 93 yards for the Bears score. Mulkey added the point after to put Southwest ahead 14-0.

All-State kicker Parker Ware of Brandon finally got Hinds on the board, as his 43-yard field goal attempt was good and cut the lead to 14-3 with 12:59 left in the second quarter. The score would remain this way until halftime.

Hinds showed a lot of life in the third quarter, and had numerous chances to convert on the Bears' mistakes. Mounger would convert one of these into a score, finding Cole Michael on a 55-yard TD pass. The Ware PAT was blocked and the score was now 14-9 with 8:50 left in the third quarter.

After a Southwest pass interference on the Eagles next possession, it looked as if Hinds would take command of the ballgame. However, Mounger was intercepted by Cotton in the end zone to kill the drive.

Southwest would ice the game with just under three minutes to go on the game, as McCall rumbled six yards for the score. Mulkey would cap the scoring, as his PAT sailed through the uprights to give Southwest the lead, 21-9.

Hinds wide receiver Vernon Wolfe of Vicksburg made his presence known in his return from an earlier suspension, catching 10 passes for 131 yards.

Hinds will now take on Itawamba Community College next Thursday in Fulton. The 7 p.m. matchup is a non-division tilt for both teams.