By CURTIS ROCKWELL/Sports Director

After losing their respective region opening games, both Poplarville and George County bounced back in fine fashion Friday night.
In Poplarville, the defending Class 4A state champion Hornets destroyed South Pike 62-24 in Region 8-4A action. The win pushes Poplarville back above the .500 mark at 4-3 overall, and evens the league mark at 1-1.
Poplarville standout running back Ty Keys ran roughshod over the Jaguar defense all night long, rushing for 217 yards on 22 carries and three touchdowns.

The game was tied up at 7-7 entering the second quarter, but the Hornets tallied 27 points in that period to take a commanding 34-12 halftime lead as Keys had three first half rushing scores.

Hornet quarterback Trac Smith accounted for three touchdowns in the win, throwing for two and running for another during that second quarter explosion. Running back Remy Naquin also ran for two touchdowns, while tight end Aaron Graham had a scoring catch as did Chadwick Brown.
Poplarville was off last week after falling to McComb 35-34 to open region play two weeks ago. The Hornets, who have just two regular season games left, remain in Region 8-4A action and host Lawrence County Friday night.

Meanwhile, Friday night at South Jackson Field, George County dispatched Jackson Jim Hill 30-6 in Region 3-6 action.
The Rebels got touchdowns from four different players in moving to 1-1 in the region race and 3-4 overall. The Tigers now stand 1-7 overall and 0-2 in league play.
George County quarterback Wyatt Spidahl and running backs Branden Gautier and D.J. McNair all recorded rushing touchdowns for the Rebels in the winning effort, and Gautier ran for a game-high 131 yards.
Rebel linebacker Grant Reeves also returned an interception 66-yards for a pick six.
West Jones beat GCHS to open region play last week.