Hinds Community College receiver Ben Shelton, who played at Vicksburg High, stretches while trying to make a catch in front of Jones C.C. defensive back Brandon McDonald. Shelton did not make the catch, but he did make a touchdown catch in the Eagles’ 27-7 win over Jones on Saturday in Raymond. (Jon GiffinThe Vicksburg Post)

[9/19/04]RAYMOND The 77th installment of the heated series between Jones and Hinds community colleges is one Jones coach Parker Dykes would like to forget.

The No. 9 Eagles (3-0) scored 24 unanswered points in the first half en route to a 27-7 thumping of the 16th-ranked Bobcats.

“The offensive line did a fantastic job keeping them away from me,” said Hinds quarterback Keats Baldwin, who threw for 195 yards and three touchdowns. “Jones likes to blitz a lot and the line shut that down.”

Hinds’ offensive line, which averages more than 300 pounds, opened holes for Martise Quiller’s 132 yards on 30 carries and allowed only one sack of Baldwin.

Baldwin connected on touchdown passes to LeKeldrick Bridges and Terrance Jones in the first quarter for a 14-0 lead. After a Kyle Platt field goal, Baldwin found former Vicksburg High standout Ben Shelton for a 26-yard touchdown.

Shelton caught a crossing pattern, then outraced Jones defenders down the sideline to open the 24-0 lead.

“They have a great football team, and we came in, I reckon, not ready to play,” said Dykes, whose team fell to 2-1 on the season. “We didn’t play good in the first half, but came out in the second half and played better. I think we won the second half.”

Jones scored the lone touchdown in the second half, a 1-yard run by Voncarie Owens. The deficit, though, and a big-play Hinds’ defense in the second half halted any comeback attemps.

D’Eldrick Taylor, who also starred at Vicksburg High, had an interception, a sack and a game-high 11 tackles. He spent some time as a linebacker, down lineman, cover cornerback and safety. Taylor and the Hinds’ defense held highly touted Jones quarterback Brett Hyatt to 123 yards on 14-of-29 passing and two interceptions.

“We had a long week to prepare for them,” Taylor said. “I think we had their number today.”

The game was scheduled to be played on Thursday, but Hurricane Ivan forced the game’s postponement.