POPLARVILLE – Tied atop the MACCC standings with two to play, No. 10 Jones defeated No. 7 Pearl River, 3-1, Friday night to move one step closer to another MACCC Championship.

After three straight home losses to the Wildcats, Jones returned the favor in Poplarville in the first meeting since 2022 on their pitch.

Jones improved to 10-2-2, 8-0-2 in MACCC play and pushed its unbeaten streak to 12 matches. PRCC saw its 12-match unbeaten streak snapped in falling to 11-3-3, 7-1-2 in conference play.

Jones set the tone in the first three minutes, with Parker Sellers scoring the go-ahead goal off a double assisted effort from Luke Dickson and Xabier Souto-Rodriguez.

The score stood until the 60th minute when Matt Reed stole the ball deep in PRCC territory and then beat the keeper lower 90 to make it 2-0 Bobcats.

Tiago Honorio Jr. cut the deficit in half in the 73rd minute after he connected on a PK after a silly Bobcat foul.

Dylan Dykes put the finishing touches on a big road win with an 88th minute goal from Reed.

The teams combined for 25 fouls and eight yellow cards, with Jones drawing six of those in the final 35 minutes.

Jones owned a 14-10 shot advantage, 9-4 on goal.

Brax Rials improved to 6-0 between the posts with three saves. Cameron Kent allowed three goals and had six stops for PRCC.

Jones needs a win or tie Tuesday night, Oct. 29 when it hosts No. 6 Gulf Coast to clinch a fifth MACCC title since 2018.