By Curtis Rockwell/Sports Director

ST. MARTIN — St. Martin hosts Stone in al all “Southern Six” showdown this week which is also the “Smith Group Realty Homefield Advantage” Game of the week.

Each week during the school year, SouthMiss6 Sports will feature a “GOTW” sponsored by The Smith Group Realty, your “Homefield Advantage” for buying and selling real estate in South Mississippi.

Two teams off to a pair of pretty good starts to the season face off in an all “Southern Six” affair in west Jackson County. The Yellow Jackets are off to a solid 2-0 start for the second straight season, while the Tomcats are 1-1 for the second consecutive year again as well. Stone has a 14-6-1 all-time lead in the series that dates back to 1959, despite a 21-3 road win for St. Martin last year. The last time the two teams played in St. Martin, the Tomcats took home a 28-15 win two years ago.

Last week, the Yellow Jackets thumped East Central 35-6 in a weather delayed contest.

Lightning delayed the start of the game between St. Martin and East Central Friday night before lightening took over the game in the form of Yellow Jackets Dawsen Sullivan and Seth Crockett. The two accounted for five touchdowns, all on explosive plays, to lead St. Martin to a 35-6 win over East Central.

With the win, and a season-opening 56-14 thumping of week one of Vancleave, St. Martin can claim the Jackson County School District title, though SMHS head coach Woody Cagnolatti said that was not a goal of the team.

“We have Stone County coming in next week and they’re going to be good,” Cagnolatti said. “We’re focused on the next game. Every game, every play has its own heartbeat.”

Stone is coming off of a sub-par performance against Poplarville on the road last week, falling to Poplarville 42-0.

The Tomcats are looking to start a season off at 2-1 for the first time since 2017. In week one, the Tomcats got past Hancock 50-44 in a shootout.Tomcat running back Ayden Green ran roughshod over the Hawks defense for the second straight season, racing his way to 208 yards on the ground and four scores. His backfield mate Amarion Fairley chipped in 154 yards and two scores, as Stone produced over 400 yards rushing to overcome and 556-yard, four touchdown passing performance from new HHS quarterback Justin Wedgeworth.

Led by a team passionate about providing clients with a positive, personalized real estate experience, The Smith Group Realty brings years of knowledge, experience, and dedication to helping families and individuals find their perfect home

“At the Smith Realty group, we believe buying or selling a house should be a positive, personal experience. With knowledge, compassion and dedication, we’re here to guide you ever step of the way, helping you to feel right at home every step of the way.

You always have the Homefield Advantage with The Smith Realty Group!”