WESSON – Hinds Community College head coach J. Mike Smith calledit an ugly win after watching his Eagles shut out the Co-Lin Wolves20-0 Saturday afternoon in Stone Stadium. Smith still had a measureof satisfaction as the Co-Lin alumnus spoiled Co-Lin’s homecomingcelebration on a muggy afternoon in his first year as headcoach.

“It was ugly but it was still a good win,” said Smith, a 1973Co-Lin graduate. “Defensively we played hard at times. But we weresluggish on both sides of the ball.”

Smith was pleased with the performance of his freshmanquarterback, Keats Baldwin of Brandon (Northwest Rankin). Baldwingot his first start against Co-Lin. He was subbing for strong-armedsophomore quarterback Terrance Matthews who was sidelines by anankle injury.

Matthews probably would have surpassed the 1,000-yard passingplateau against Co-Lin, having amassed 937 yards in 5 games.Instead, Baldwin went to work.

Working mainly out of the shotgun, Baldwin completed 15 of 26passes for 176 yards and was intercepted once. His prime receiverwas Terrance Jones who caught 5 passes for 62 yards.

“Our backup quarterback got better and better as the game wentalong,” said Smith.

What Smith also got were two touchdown runs by Marquise Quiller,a freshman from New Augusta, S.C. Quiller squirted through themiddle of Co-Lin’s defense, shed tacklers and raced 58 yards for asecond-quarter TD, putting the Eagles up 10-0.

Carter Mascagni, a southpaw kicker from Clinton, kicked fieldgoals of 26 yards in the first quarter and 28 yards in the fourthquarter to help secure the victory.

Co-Lin was unable to put points on the scoreboard. The Wolvesdrove to the Hinds 8-yard line on their first possession of thegame. They had to settle for a 24-yard field goal attempt by ThomasGarland. The snap was mishandled, Hinds’ Willie Williams scooped upthe fumble and returned it to midfield.

Nine plays later, Mascagni connected from 26 yards out and theEagles led 3-0.

Co-Lin head coach David Poinsett said his team was unable tocash in scoring opportunities. “When you get in the red zone, youhave to score. Fumbles and mistakes stopped us.

“You can’t expect your defense and special teams to score,”Poinsett continued. “Our kids played hard and I’m proud ofthem.”

Poinsett started Ty Smith at quarterback and replaced him withBrian Hayes with 6 minutes left in the first half. In the secondhalf, Johnathan Little took over at quarterback.

Little also had little success. He was intercepted twice andfumbled twice. He completed 3 of 10 passes for 40 yards.

The Wolves almost avoided a shutout, driving to the Hinds 14late in the game. But a fumble ended that scoring opportunity.

Co-Lin resumes play Thursday night, hosting the Holmes Bulldogsin a non-division game. Hinds hosts East Central for a 2 p.m. SouthDivision Saturday game at Raymond.