By Stan Beall
The Star Herald
LEXINGTON —
J. J. McClain hosted the Region 4-3A foe Leland Tigers last Friday night and won big, 40-22.
The Mustangs got on the board quickly in the first quarter and held an 8-0 advantage over the Tigers going into the second.
The Mustangs scored again on a touchdown pass from Rotavious Thurmond with nine minutes left in the second quarter, PAT no good, to take a 14-0 lead over the visitors. Leland answered with six minutes left before the half when they completed a touchdown pass, PAT good, to pull within eight points of the Mustangs.
The Mustangs quickly answered when Thurmond threw for another touchdown, PAT no good, to increase their lead to 20-8.
Leland responded a little over a minute later when they were able to score on another touchdown pass, two-point conversion good, to pull within four points of the Mustang lead, 20-16.
Neither team would score again before the half and the Mustangs took the 20-16 lead into the intermission.
With less than three minutes gone from the third quarter clock, Thurmond hit on another touchdown pass, two-point PAT good, to increase their lead to 28-16.
The Tigers quickly answered the Mustang score when they completed another touchdown pass; PAT failed, to pull within six points of the Mustangs again, 28-22.
The Mustangs took the 28-22 lead into the fourth quarter.
With six minutes left on the clock, Thurmond threw another touchdown pass, PAT no good, to increase the lead to 34-22.
With just three minutes remaining, the Mustangs slammed the door shut on the Tigers when Thurmond connected on his fifth touchdown pass of the night to push the final score to 40-22 after the PAT once again failed.
The Mustangs are now 7-3 overall and 3-2 in region play. Offensively quarterback Rotavious Thurmond who was 8-12 passing for 268 yards and five touchdowns led the Mustangs. Thurmond also had 64 yards rushing on just 10 attempts.
Timothy Stewart added 52 yards rushing on seven attempts as well.
Robert Jordan led all receivers with 169 yards on four catches, all touchdowns, while Tyron Lemon recorded 48 yards on just two catches.
Defensively Alvin Wilson led the Mustangs with 13 tackles, Gentry Greer and Adrine Howard with 10 tackles each while Timothy Stewart recorded nine stops.
Stewart and Howard each recorded one sack as well.
The Mustangs will host Ruleville Friday night in what will be their last regular season game at 7 p.m.
