Patrick Ochs
Sun Herald

Stone left little doubt from very early on who was going to win Friday’s Region 4-5A opener against Pearl River Central.
The Tomcats forced four turnovers in the first half to catapult the home squad to a 49-19 victory at A.L. May Memorial Stadium.
At one point, PRC (2-3) actually turned the ball over on three straight plays, losing two quarterback/running back exchanges sandwiched around a 20-yard pick-six by Stone’s Ereon Harris.
“It was a little bit of everything. I don’t know if we had jitters or what. We just didn’t click on offense,” PRC coach Larry Dolan said. “We fumbled the ball, had busted plays and I don’t know. Just one of those nights that didn’t go right. We’re better than that, but they have a great football team.”
Stone (4-1) running back duo of Terrion Avery and Kentrell McCray helped pace the Tomcats in the first half, combining for all five offensive touchdowns.
Avery opened the scoring with a 14-yard run and later scored on runs of 1 and 2 yards.
McCray made the most of his four carries in the first half, breaking loose for 22- and 31-yard touchdowns.
“They’re shifty,” Dolan said of Stone’s running backs. “They’re kind of small and hide back there and before you know it they bust it out around you. They have a great scheme.”
PRC quarterback Wyatt Davis teamed up with Diante Lenoir to get the Blue Devils on the scoreboard mid-way through the third quarter. Davis threw a short pass toward the home sideline, Lenoir danced through Stone’s secondary for a 65-yard score.
Avery responded on the very next play, using a blocker down the visitor’s sideline for an 86-yard touchdown.
Louis Reece capped PRC’s scoring on the night with a 2-yard run.
Davis also connected with Cade Lee for a 28-yard touchdown with 30 seconds remaining.
Davis finished 17 of 29 passing for 296 yards with two touchdowns and an interception.
Stone’s victory helped avenge last year’s 68-28 loss to PRC (2-3).
It also marked the first win for former PRC assistant John Feaster against his former team.
“The kids came out intense. Last year I was over there, and (tonight) was homecoming so the kids wanted to win,” said Feaster, in his first year at SHS. “I’m just glad we got the victory.”

Next up
PRC will look to get back on track Friday against Gautier, while Pascagoula will travel to face the Tomcats.
“Right now we have to get a heck of a lot better than where we are right now,” Dolan said. “We can’t worry about Gautier. We have to worry about Pearl River Central and right now that’s a big task.”