RAYMOND – A preseason scrimmage with Mississippi Delta last week did the Hinds Community College Eagles a world of good.

Coach J. Mike Smith’s Eagles open the season tonight at Renfroe Stadium against the Coahoma CC Tigers.

&#8220We scrimmaged Mississippi Delta last Thursday up there and it really helped us,” Smith said. &#8220It was a good learning experience. We saw the things we need to get better at.”

The Eagles and the Trojans competed in a 50-play, limited scrimmage.

&#8220It was more like an organized practice, but we were able to kick off and that gave it a little more of a game-feel to it. We were able to look at both our kickoff team and return teams,” Smith said.

Hinds is coming off a disappointing 3-4 season last year after playing for the MACJC state title in 2004 against eventual national champion Pearl River CC. One of its wins was a 61-12 romp over Coahoma in Raymond.

&#8220Coahoma will be like they always are, a lot of good athletes. You have to be able to jump on them quick because if they can hang around, they’ve got a chance. They beat Holmes like that last year,” Smith said.

The Eagles will have a new quarterback running the team tonight in Omar Love of Charleston. He was the backup to last year’s starter Seth Adams, who is now at Ole Miss.

The running game will be paced by returning sophomore Michael James and New Orleans transfer Terrance Charles.

Former Porters Chapel Academy player Chris Mixon could see time at linebacker and on special teams for Hinds. Other local products suiting up for the Eagles include former Warren Central defensive end Jesse Pedyfoot and defensive back Otis Stamps, both returning sophomores.