Stone Tomcats dominate Vancleave with 59-20 win

The Stone County Tomcats made a statement in their Class 5A Region 4 showdown against the Vancleave Bulldogs, rolling to a 59-20 victory to earn their first regional win of the season.

Stone wasted no time taking control, with the defense forcing an early fumble as Elijah Bostic got to the quarterback and JT Theriot recovered for the Tomcats. Stone capitalized immediately, as junior running back Ayden Green broke through the defense for a 25-yard touchdown to give the Tomcats a 7-0 lead.

The Tomcats quickly added to their advantage when Amarion Fairley broke loose for a 53-yard touchdown run, making it 14-0. Stone’s defense continued to create opportunities, with Charley Pasley coming down with an interception to set up another scoring drive.

Senior quarterback Zander Howard took matters into his own hands, spinning away from a defender and racing 35 yards into the end zone to extend the lead to 21-0.

Green found the end zone again shortly after, breaking off a 45-yard touchdown run for his second score of the first quarter as Stone built a commanding 28-0 advantage.

Vancleave finally found its footing in the second quarter behind sophomore quarterback Layne Danner. He connected with Cam Sherrod on a pair of impressive catches to move the Bulldogs downfield before finishing the drive himself with a one-yard rushing touchdown to put Vancleave on the board at 28-7.

Stone answered before halftime, and Green delivered his biggest play of the night. The junior running back burst through the defense for a 73-yard touchdown, completing his hat trick and pushing the Tomcats’ lead to 35-7. He’d go on to score his fourth touchdown of the night in the second half.

Stone maintained control the rest of the way, pulling away for a 59-20 victory and its first Class 5A Region 4 win.

The Tomcats will host Northeast Jones next week, while Vancleave travels to East Central.