By CURTIS ROCKWELL/Sports Director

WIGGINS — Two years ago, Stone High saw a seven consecutive season state playoff streak stopped in then new head coach Jacob Aycock’s first year at the helm of the Tomcats.

However, Stone snapped back last season from that 3-7 start under Aycock to a 6-6 mark that included a 17-14 win over Florence in the opening round of the Class 5A South State playoffs.

Now, this season, Aycock and his Tomcats have their sights set on their first winning record in three years and an even deeper run in the postseason.

Stone has 18 seniors coming into this season. The Tomcats open the new campaign on Fri., Aug. 29th on the road in the Kiln against home-standing Hancock.

“The kids we had our first year played as sophomores and then those starters played last year as juniors,” Aycock said, in a recent interview. “And now we feel like our big senior class is ready to showcase what they’ve earned.”

Quarterback Xander Howard, a junior, returns after starting most of the season as a sophomore last season to lead the Stone offensive attack. He threw for over 1,100 yards and 11 touchdowns last season, while completing over 60 percent of his passes.

When Howard isn’t going to the airwaves he has a promising option to hand off to in the backfield in sophomore running back back Ayden Green, rushed for 650 yards and seven scores as just a freshman last year as a second option behind then senior Kylan Burnette who registered 861 yards and six touchdowns.

Senior Jayden Collins will look to not only provide some offensive production on the outside from his wide out spot but also returns as a top Tomcat defender from the secondary as well after making 55 total tackles and two interceptions including five tackles for loss.

Other defenders to watch include defensive lineman Tariq Noel, who returns up front after a solid junior season last year. The 6-foot-4, 240-pounder recorded 50 total tackles, including 10 tackles for loss, and had six sacks from the outside last year.

Also, linebacker Brayden Williams recorded over 100 total stops last year and returns for his senior season as does defensive back Favien Dawkins who had 77 total tackles and five pick offs last year as a junior.

Stone returns to a revamped Region 4-5A this season that again includes Vancleave, East Central and Wayne County. New to the league this season is Northeast Jones and Purvis, who replace Laurel and Gautier.