Sophomore star extends Stone winning streak to four games with winning touchdown
When Stone’s two-score lead disappeared in the fourth quarter, Tomcats coach Jacob Aycock turned to one player without hesitation.
Ayden Green covered 50 yards in two plays and scored the go-ahead touchdown Friday in Stone’s 30-23 win at Vancleave. It was the sophomore’s lone score of the night, but it was enough to extend the Tomcats’ winning streak to four games and give them a commanding a 3-0 record within Region 4-5A.
“Tonight was his night,” Aycock said of Green. “He was able to use his speed and his quickness and he bailed us out a few times, honestly. I’m proud of how good of a week he had in practice. He’s hungry. He wants to do better each week.”
Stone held a 22-10 lead over its district rival in the fourth quarter before touchdown runs by Kyle Capers and Aiden Hall put the Bulldogs in front.
Vancleave’s opportunity to respond to Green’s scoring run ended without a single first down gained when edge rusher Tariq Noel batted away a pass on fourth down.
“We made a lot of mistakes early and toward the end,” Noel said. “I feel like our defense and offense overcame that adversity.”
Stone was coming off a dominant shutout win over Purvis before Capers and the Bulldogs forced the Tomcats into difficult situations.
Capers returned a first-half punt for a 74-yard touchdown, putting Stone in trouble due to a missed extra point and failed two-point try.
The Tomcats’ defense helped balance the scales in the third quarter when Kenneth Boggs returned a botched snap 45 yards for a score that would put Stone up 22-10.
Stone improved to 5-3 after the win after beginning the season at 1-3. Injuries played a role in the early season struggles and even forced Green to stand in at quarterback for a pair of games.
Since returning to his natural position, Green has averaged over 100 rushing yards a game.
“We just stayed confident and believing in each other,” Green said. “We’ve got some players down, but we know the backups can step up and handle business like they have to.”
Stone won its last region title in 2022 under former head coach John Feaster. That was the first one at the school since 1994.
Aycock, now in his third year, has seen marked improvement over the last two seasons at the helm and has the Tomcats on the cusp of another region championship.
“Our administration has really bought in to what we’re doing,” Aycock said. “I’d love to stand here and say I did this, but it starts at the top, and then I have to make sure it trickles down to our players. They’ve allowed me spots to hire a really good coaching staff. And we’re young; I’m the oldest on staff. But I think that helps us, honestly. Our kids are buying into what we’re doing, and I think that’s a big benefit for us in year three.”
Stone has Northeast Jones and East Central left on the schedule. It’s path to a title can be as simple as earning another win next week if the right pieces fall in place.
Vancleave falls to 3-5 and 1-2 in region with East Central and Purvis remaining. The Bulldogs will need to win both to earn their way into the postseason.
