By Butch Weir

Editor, The Poplarville Democrat

POPLARVILLE – The Hornets are still searching for the right combination on offense and defense in losing here Friday to the Stone Tomcats 37-6.

After jockeying for position during the first quarter that saw a Hornet drive stalled by a Leroy Hartfield interception of quarterback Dakota Sheppard, Stone opened the second quarter with a touchdown.

The score was set up when Hornet kicker Shelby Purvis had a punt partially blocked, giving Stone position at the Poplarville 30. On three runs by senior workhorse Breon Arrington (14 carries for 96 yards) the Tomcats were looking at a second and goal from the four. The other Stone threat, Darion Arrington (7 for 47 yards), then punched the ball over at 11:55 in the second quarter. Chris Corbett ran for the 2-point conversion to start the scoring at 8-0.

The next Stone score came four minutes later on a third down 22-yard run around the right side by Corbett. Brad Bond’s point after attempt was no good but the score was now 14-0.

After a four and out by Poplarville a third down 38-yard pass completion by Clint Hatten to Fred Boggs followed by a 2-point conversion from Corbett upped the score to 22-0 with 4:49 remaining before the half.

Both teams then swapped possessions two times before the clock ran out on the half with Stone threatening again at the Hornet 11.

Stone opened the third quarter with a new threat as Darion Arrington took over the quarterback position. Pounding out three first downs Arrington called his own number three times for 57 yards in the four play drive that he capped with a 5-yard run for the score. Corbett made the score 30-0 with a two-point conversion.

Poplarville was unable to repeat last week’s third quarter scoring effort as their first drive ended on a Gemar Johnson interception of Sheppard. Stone managed to make it to the Hornet 19 before a sack of Darion Arrington on fourth down turned the ball over.

Ira White gained the Hornets a first down with a 15-yard run from their own 21 but the series stalled with at fourth down attempt at the Hornet 45.

With time winding down on the third quarter Stone mixed up the run between Darion Arrington and Corbett to get to the Hornet three. Seconds into the fourth stanza Hatten squeezed the pigskin over from the two. The PAT was good to put the score at 37-0.

With 9:49 left in the fourth quarter Poplarville finally got a break when Eli Frierson recovered a fumble at his own 33. Stringing together five first downs the Hornets had the ball with first and goal at the four. Three plays later Sheppard called his own number at the one to give the Hornets their only score. The point after try was blocked to end scoring at 37-6.

Top stats for the Hornet’s were White with 16 carries for 84 yards and Ben Fayard 6 carries for 10 yards. White had one reception for 13 yards and Dexter Childs two receptions for 16 yards.

The Hornets tallied seven first downs; rushed for 114 yards and 29 passing for a total offense of 143. Stone gained nine first downs with 164 rushing and 91 passing for a 255 total.

The Hornets travel to Long Beach next week for a 7:30 match-up.