The Tom Bean Tomcats opened their 2023 season in commanding fashion Friday night, rolling past the Cumby Trojans with a 56–6 victory that showcased both an explosive offensive attack and a relentless, swarming defense. It was the type of performance that set the tone for the season.
After a slow first quarter, the Tomcat offense clicked on all cylinders. The unit piled up 409 total yards, led by a near-flawless performance from quarterback Donnie Hooten, who went 16-of-19 through the air for 304 passing yards and 5 touchdowns. Hooten spread the ball around with precision, keeping the Trojan defense off balance all night. His favorite targets delivered in a big way: Camden Stephens found the end zone twice through the air on 3 catches for 54 yards and also punched one in for a touchdown. Maguire Poole pulled in 6 receptions for 95 yards and 1 touchdown, Brayden Bomar added 77 yards and 1 touchdown, and Tony De La Torre electrified the crowd with a 55-yard touchdown strike.
The ground game kept the offense balanced and dangerous. Dallas Peavey powered his way to 89 yards and 1 touchdown, also chipping in 2 receptions for 23 yards. Camden Stephens added 5 yards and 1 touchdown in a tough goal line situation. Sophomore Slayton Farris added tough yards and punched in 1 touchdown of his own, ensuring the Tomcats dominated in every phase offensively.
While the offense lit up the scoreboard, the Tomcat defense stole the show with a statement performance. Cumby was held to just 157 total yards, 123 rushing and a mere 41 through the air, managing just 6 points. The defense forced 3 turnovers, came up with 3 fourth-down stops, and strung together 6 three-and-outs, suffocating the Trojans’ attack.
Individually, the defensive effort was fueled by several standout performances. Ryan Dearmond led the charge with a team-high 13 tackles, including 2 tackles for loss, setting the tone with his physical play. Brayden Bomar shined as he recorded 2 interceptions to go along with 6 tackles, sparking momentum shifts that kept Cumby on its heels. Tatum Hanson added 11 tackles and a sack, while Jacob Lind was a steady force with 12 tackles and 1 forced fumble. Ryon Cherry recorded a fumble recovery and Brayden Yowell recorded a sack as well.
This week’s Tomcat Players Of The Week honorees reflect the complete team effort that powered the opening win. On defense, Brayden Bomar was recognized for his clutch playmaking with 2 interceptions and 6 tackles. On offense, Donnie Hooten (304 passing yards, 5 TDs) and Camden Stephens (2 Reception & 1 Rushing touchdowns, 59 total yards) earned honors for leading the charge. On special teams, Donnie Hooten once again stepped up, handling all the kicking duties with consistency and poise. Finally, the Scout Team Players of the Week, Jacob Lind and Tatum Hanson, were recognized for their preparation and relentless effort that helped set the tone in practice and carry over into Friday night’s dominant showing.
