Hinds quarterback Brad Banks, who ran for two touchdowns and passed for another, breaks away from Delta’s Rodney McKinney. (The Vicksburg Post/PAT SHANNAHAN)

RAYMOND Surprise, surprise Hinds Community College will play for another state championship.

The Eagles, the most dominating Mississippi junior college team in the 1990s, dismantled Delta, 38-23, Saturday afternoon at Joe Renfroe Stadium.

The Eagles (10-1) will meet Southwest for the state championship Saturday and will shoot for its sixth state title since 1987. It will mark the ninth time the Eagles have played for the crown since 1988.

“We got through it and won that 10th game and that’s a tribute to this program,” Hinds coach Gene Murphy said. “Now, we have another chance to play for a state championship.”

The Eagles won state titles in 1988 and then captured four in a row, 1994-1997.

Quarterback Brad Banks threw for 184 yards all to Chauncey Stovall and a touchdown and ran for two as the Eagles jumped out to a 17-0 first quarter lead and never looked back.

“We had some turnovers and defensive lapses early and they made some big plays,” said coach Jim Southward, whose Delta squad finished 5-6. “They deserve to win this football game.”

The biggest play came six minutes into the first quarter as Banks found Stovall on a 90-yard touchdown pass for a quick 7-0 lead.

University of Georgia transfer Tyrone Robertson, who had three sacks, recovered a fumble on the first Delta play after the Eagles’ touchdown. Two plays later, Banks weaved his way through the Trojans’ defense for a 19-yard score.

“We wanted to come out and do the little things,” said Banks, a Central Florida signee who said he will go to either Kansas State or Iowa next year. “That’s what we’ve been focusing on the last couple weeks.”

A Trey Crum 41-yard field goal his 20th of the season and a 2-yard touchdown by former Vicksburg High standout Thomas McKnight gave Hinds a 24-0 lead. McKnight finished with 104 yards on 13 carries.

Ken Powell, who threw two fourth-quarter TD passes, scored the first Delta TD on a 2-yard run late in the first half. Daniel Wright added a field goal early in the third quarter to make it 24-10, but Hinds answered.

Banks’ 1-yard plunge with a minute to play in the third upped the lead to 31-10 and University of Miami signee Andrew Williams returned a fumble 35 yards in the fourth for a TD and a 38-10 Hinds lead

“I saw nothing but the green so I had to go for it,” Williams said with a chuckle.

The Trojans added a couple of late touchdown passes to get to within 15, but the Eagles recovered an onsides kick with a minute to play to secure the win.

The Eagles, who have lost just three games in Raymond since 1994, will play Southwest for the second time this year. Two weeks ago, Hinds beat the Bears, 28-9, to earn home-field advantage throughout the playoffs.

The Eagles played for the state championship a season ago, but were beaten handily by Northwest in Senatobia.

The Rangers, undefeated this season, did not make the playoffs after being placed on probation at the start of the season for starting practice too early.

Hinds players said it doesn’t matter who plays in the state championship, they will be ready.

“We’re gonna play and play hard,” Banks said. “It really doesn’t matter who it is.”