South Jones returned three interceptions for touchdowns on the way to a 38-13 non-division win at Pass Christian Friday night.

Quarterback Brett Bailey got the Braves (5-2) going with a 28-yard keeper in the first quarter and Josh Corley booted the first of his four extra points.

Desmond Bolton scored from 18 yards out on a double reverse. Terrell Ducksworth returned an interception 45 yards for a South Jones touchdown and before the first half ended, Avery Phillips returned an interception 30 yards for a score.

South Jones was up 28-7 at the half.

In the third quarter, the Pirates cut the lead in half, but Corley booted a field goal to make it 31-13 and Drake Walley picked off a pass and ran it in 40 yards for the TD.

“Our defense played well tonight,” Brave Coach Cecil Hicks said, “but we played well in spurts. I was pleased with the scores on defense. We had some good third down stops, so we didn’t stay on the field very much, and that helps.

“Offensively, it was a good night, but nothing special,” he said. “We had a lot of good things called back, including two scores and several big runs.”

South Jones travels to West Jones Friday for a key Region 5-4A contest. Hicks looks for a big game. “We’ve got to improve,” he said. “It will be a great ballgame. West Jones is one of our big rivals. They have a good winning tradition year after year and a tremendous coaching staff. They’re where we’re trying to be.”

Laurel 45, NE Lauderdale 35

In a back-and-forth game, the Golden Tornadoes (4-3, 1-2) captured their first Region 5-4A win of the season with the road victory over the Trojans (1-6, 0-4).

Scoring details were not available at presstime.

Laurel continues region action Friday, hosting Northeast Jones.

Sylva-Bay Academy 14,

Canton Academy 13

The Saints improved to 7-1 on the year as they beat Canton 14-13. Cody Prewitt scored Sylva Bay’s first touchdown in the second quarter on a 75-yard pass from quarterback Bryce Ulmer. The extra point failed. Canton scored a touchdown and an extra point to take a 7-6 lead into the half, and led 13-6 at the end of the third quarter.