The Pearl River Central Blue Devils entered Friday night’s showdown against Poplarville Hornets after a tough loss to Biloxi last week.

In a game riddled with turnovers by the Hornets, the Blue Devils banked on recoveries and beat the Hornets, 38 to 6. 

The Blue Devils’ running back Hunter Holifield scored the game’s first touchdown with a 13-yard run into the end zone with eight minutes left in the first quarter. 

The Hornets responded with a 12-yard touchdown run in by Malik Lucas, with four minutes left in the quarter. 

At the end of the first quarter the score was 7 to 6, Blue Devils. 

The Blue Devils began the second quarter with a 31-yard field goal by kicker Zach Baumgartner. 

With four minutes left in the second quarter, the Hornets fumbled the ball, which was recovered by the Devils’ linebacker Cody Spiers. 

With 53 seconds left in the second quarter, Holifield ran the ball in for a two-yard touchdown. 

The Blue Devils led at halftime, 17 to 6. 

With seven minutes left in the third quarter, Holifield ran the ball in to end zone yet again for a three yard touchdown, bringing the Devils’ score to 24. 

The fourth quarter began with a touchdown by Pearl River Central’s running back Mike Tatman. 

After two more fumbles by the Hornets, Holified scored again with two minutes left in the game bringing the Devils’ score to 38 to 6. 

Devils head coach Eric Collins said it’s always great when playing a rivalry. 

“Poplarville played extremely hard today,” Collins said. “I’m proud of my boys and the way they bounced back from last week’s tough loss.”

Poplarville head coach Jay Beech said he was disappointed with the amount of turnovers. 

The Hornets had about five turnovers Friday.

“I like this team and the direction we are headed,” Beech said. “We kind of gave this one away.”

On Friday Sept. 5, the Blue Devils will host Oak Grove beginning at 7 p.m. 

The Hornets will host Long Beach on Friday Sept. 5 at 7 p.m.