FULTON - The Jon Williams era began last Thursday night at ICC when the Indians hosted the Hinds Eagles. It was a close game early on, but the Eagles had a big fourth quarter and picked up a 52-31 victory.

After two failed drives by both teams in the first quarter, Hinds found pay dirt on a two yard touchdown run to cap off a seven play drive. The point after was blocked, but Hinds led 6-0 with eight minutes remaining in the first quarter.

On the ensuing drive, the Indians put together a nine play drive that ended with a 1 yard touchdown run by Andy Wilson. The Indians’ extra point was good, giving them a 7-6 lead.

The Indians were not done in the first quarter as Alex Thornton hit Erick Buchannan for a 38 yard touchdown pass. The point after was good, and the Indians led 14-6 at the end of the first quarter.

Early in the second quarter, the Indians extended their lead when Wilson hit Buchannan for a 17 yard touchdown pass that capped off an eleven play drive.

With 10 minutes left in the first half, the Indians led 21-6, but the Eagles would fight back, scoring two unanswered touchdowns to tie the game at 21 with 3:37 left in the first half.

After a bad kick return, the Indians were pinned deep into their own territory for the ensuing drive. On the first play of the drive, the Eagles put pressure on Wilson, and he threw the ball out of the back of the end zone for a safety. At halftime, Hinds led ICC 23-21.

Hinds extended their lead early in the third quarter. Then the Indians answered with a 91 yard kickoff return by William Green to pull back within two points.

The Indians blocked a Hinds field goal in the middle of the third quarter, but the offense was unable to capitalize and find the end zone. Later in the third, the Eagles found the end zone on a 24 yard touchdown run and led 36-28 at the end of the third quarter.

ICC's Will Goodwin hit a 28 yard field goal early in the fourth quarter to cut the lead down to 36-31, but that would be as close as the Indians got as Hinds scored three unanswered touchdowns in the quarter to pick up a 52-31 victory.

"They kept playing, and they didn't make a ton of mental mistakes," Williams said. "I was pleased with our overall attitude, but I was not pleased with the way we came out in the second half."

The Indians will hit the road to Poplarville on Thursday to take on Pearl River. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m.