RAYMOND — Hinds Community College kicks off this season Thursday in Fulton when the Eagles face Itawamba Community College.

The Eagles are in coach Gene Murphy’s second year of his rebuilding job. They were 3-6 last year as Murphy returned after a six-year hiatus. In his previous 17-year stint, the Eagles went 133-45-5 and won six MACJC/Region 23 titles.

Murphy was unavailable for comment this week but his son, Kelly, the team’s offensive coordinator, did give his assessment of where the Eagles are heading into the opener.

“For three weeks, we’ve been banging each other and there were a lot of bumps and bruises, but that’s healed up and we’re ready to hit somebody else,” Murphy said.

The Eagles will start four former All-Warren County players on offense against Itawamba. Les Lemons, of Vicksburg High, has been moved back to slot receiver after splitting time last year between quarterback and receiver.

“Les is our jack of all trades. He’s our starting wide receiver, a kick returner, the holder on field goals and PATs and he’ll have some packages where he will play quarterback,” Kelly Murphy said.

Anthony Shepherd, a transfer from Western Kentucky and a Florida native, will open at quarterback. Cordell Valentine, a Warren Central product, returns and will play the X-receiver position. Valentine caught 12 passes for 121 yards last year as a freshman.

On the offensive line, the Eagles will start WC products John Gustavis at guard and Danny Bunch at tackle. Steve Jordan, also of WC, will see playing time.

“Gustavis and Bunch will start and Steve Jordan is our No. 6 guy,” Murphy said. “Both he and John had really good camps. Danny has dropped some weight and he could be a really good football player for us.”

The Eagles had another local product arrive late but then also lost one as well. Tim Jones, the Vicksburg Post’s 2009 Player of the Year, was lost for the season with an ACL tear on the second day of practice.

Jones will miss the season but be granted a medical redshirt.

Carlos Williams, a two-time Vicksburg Post Defensive Player of the Year out of Vicksburg High, enrolled at Hinds after not being cleared by the NCAA Clearinghouse. Williams had signed with Jackson State following a season at a senior prep school in Florida.

“Carlos is not yet in shape, but we feel he’s going to be a big asset for us,” Murphy said.