The Poplarville High School Hornets pulled off a close win Friday night against the previously undefeated Stone High School Tomcats. 

The Hornets defense held off the Tomcats for the last two minutes of the game, securing their 38-35 victory. 

“I’m so happy we hung in there,” Poplarville Head Coach Jay Beech said. “They were a great opponent, every time we scored they’d fight right back.” 

The Hornets had been pushing for a touchdown in the fourth quarter when Austin Bolton rushed the last 10 yards to give the Hornets their winning touchdown with 2:25 left in the game. 

Poplarville scored a late field goal with 8:15 left in the game, bringing the score closer at 31-35. 

After what could have been an interception by Stone’s Nick Brown in the first quarter, Poplarville’s Jesse Pernell scored the first touchdown of the game with 6:25 remaining. Bolton had the second touchdown with 1:35 left in the quarter. Both plays were rushing touchdowns within 10 yards of the end zone. 

Poplarville led at the end of the first quarter 14-0. 

Stone started off the second quarter with a quick rebound, completing a 25-yard touchdown pass. 

Poplarville Bolton caught his second touchdown pass with 5:17 left in the half, bringing the score to 21-7. 

Twice in the second quarter, the Tomcats scored off punt returns, first by Kentrell with 5:02 left in the half and another with 46 seconds remaining. 

“That kept them in the game,” Beech said. “But we moved the ball well.”

Early in the third quarter, Stone player R’tarrium Johnson caught an interception leading to a touchdown catch by Terrion Avery bringing the score to 21-28. Poplarville’s Pernell quickly responded with a rushing touchdown with 6:07 left in the quarter, tying the game 28-28. 

Stone inched their way to the end zone, pushing it over the line with a touchdown pass with 2:24 left in the quarter, 28-35. 

Poplarville’s next game will be against Hancock High School at home. 

Though Coach Beech said, “we’re just going to enjoy this win for a couple of days.”