By CURTIS ROCKWELL/Sports Director

Vancleave got off to a strong start in Region 4-5A play Friday night.
The Bulldogs slipped past visiting Northeast Jones 13-10 in the league lid-lifter for both teams. Vancleave moves to 3-3 overall with its third straight win, and 1-0 in the region race.
After a scoreless first quarter, Vancleave’s Bradyn Woodworth blocked a punt deep in Tiger territory and on the next play Bulldog running back Kyle Capers scored from one yard out to put the home team up 7-0.

The score was 7-3 late in the game, when Capers sealed the deal taking the snap out of the Wildcat and racing 41 yards for the touchdown.
Northeast Jones running back Caleb McGruder added a short scoring run, but it was too little too late for the Tigers.
Bulldog linebacker Aiden Hal recorded a game-high 21 tackles including two tackles for loss in the winning effort.

Stone 31, Wayne County 20
The Tomcats also stand 1-0 in the Region 4-5A race after a home win as well.
Stone dispatched the War Eagles for the fifth straight time dating back to the 2017 season. The Tomcats move to 3-3 overall and 1-0 in league play.
Stone Sophomore running back Ayden Green carried the ball 22 times for 135 yards and a touchdown while his teammate Jayden Collins had 150 all-purpose yards and returned a kick 74 yards for a touchdown.

Purvis 26, East Central 16
The visiting Tornadoes were the only team in Region 4-5A to pick up a road win Friday night.
The game was also the league opener for both teams. East Central fell to 1-5 overall with the loss.
The game was marred by a benches clearing brawl toward the end.
No scoring details were available.

Gautier 28, Long Beach 6
The Gators opened up Region 4-6A play with a solid win over the visiting Bearcats Friday night.
Gautier quarterback Keon McNeil connected with Gator wingback Devon Garrett on four touchdown passes to power the home team to the win.
Bearcat running back Junior Brown supplied the only score for Long Beach.
Gautier moved to 3-3 overall and 1-0 in the region race while LBHS is 1-5 overall and 0-1.