RAYMOND — Four years ago, Pearl River and Hinds Community College battled for the junior college state championship. In the time since, Pearl River has maintained its program at a high level while Hinds has slipped into mediocrity.

Thursday’s night’s 37-10 thumping by Pearl River reinforced the status quo. The visiting Wildcats (4-0, 2-0 South Division) got three touchdown passes from Emil Jones along with a safety and a interception return for a touchdown to scorch the mistake-prone Eagles at Renfroe Stadium.

Two of Emil’s scoring passes came within the final 32 seconds of the first half to turn a 7-7 game into a 14-point halftime cushion for coach Tim Hatten’s Wildcats.

“We’ve been able to get good athletes from our district. Our quarterback is from North Forrest. The kid who ran in the interception is from Petal. While I’ve maintained my Florida connections, we’re mainly doing it with our district kids,” Hatten said.

Hinds (2-2, 1-1) came into this week with a cloud of uncertainty. Star tailback Anton Taylor was lost for the season after breaking his leg in the season opener against Northeast. Starting receiver Vernon Wolfe, a Vicksburg High product, is serving a four-week suspension and backup tailback Matthew Willis of Puckett has an eligibility issue.

Pearl River was able to drive 92 yards in three minutes to break the 7-7 tie and then scored 20 seconds later after Hinds botched the ensuing kickoff.

“That killed us,” Hinds coach J. Mike Smith said. “We had them pinned back there and could’ve gotten out of the half in a 7-7 game, but it didn’t happen. They get two scores and we’re down 14. Our guys have got to learn how to play.”

Jones hit Jerry Duncan for gains of 30 and 34 yards to get the Wildcats into scoring position. He then hit Ray Chisholm on a 1-yard TD pass to break the tie with 32 seconds left in the half. After the botched kickoff return, Jones found Desmond Ratliff for a 36-yard TD strike with 12 seconds left. Jonathan Rayner made his third PAT kick for a 21-7 lead.

The second half was more Hinds’ ineptitude. The Eagles had a 37-yard Wesley Mounger TD pass wiped out because of off-setting penalties. Instead of a touchdown and a one score game, the Eagles had to settle for a 45-yard field goal by Parker Ware to make it 21-10.

After a PRCC punt backed Hinds up to its own 1-yard line, Mounger was sacked for a safety to make it 23-10 with 5:07 left in the third quarter.

Any hopes of a rally died when Mounger’s late third quarter pass was tipped and intercepted by Hendrick Leverette at the 32. At about the 20, Leverette fumbled but the ball was caught in mid-air by Devin McNair, who took it the rest of the way for the touchdown. Rayner’s kick made it 30-10 with 1:02 left in the quarter.

Brandon Peters closed out the scoring on a 44-yard touchdown run with 8:35 left.

Jones finished 14-of-24 for 212 yards. He had a 60-yard TD pass to Matt Williams on the game’s opening possession.

Mounger, who came with a sore arm, managed to hit Treyvias Alexander on a 37-yard TD pass with 10:33 left in the second quarter to tie the game at 7, following Ware’s kick. Mounger ended 6-of-15 for 113 yards. Aaron Woolkfolk, who moved over from safety, ran for 80 yards on 16 carries.