Amari Yelding tossed five touchdown passes to lead B.C. Rain over UMS-Wright 31-21 Friday night at Cooper Stadium in a key Class 5A, Region 1 game.

The Bulldogs raced to a 14-0 lead, while the Red Raiders had only 5 offensive plays run. UMS struck on its opening drive as Jake Jaye scored from three yards out. After a Rain fumble, Bulldog quarterback Joe Lott connected with Denton Elliot on an 11-yard strike.

“We were able to withstand the early punch they threw, collect ourselves and move forward,” said Red Raiders coach L.T. Yelding.

Amari Yelding needed only one play to get Rain on the board, connecting on an 84-yard TD with Dillon Robinson, to cut the lead to 14-6. UMS built the lead to 21-6 when David Lott covered a blocked put in the end zone.

However, the Bulldogs wouldn’t score again.

Rain scored 25 unanswered points to snap a nine-game losing streak to UMS that dated back to 1972.

“This is a statement victory for this team, this community and everyone that is a part of the Rain family,” said Red Raiders senior quarterback Amari Yelding, who passed for 236 yards.

Antonio Williams (30 and 39) and Robinson (84, 34) caught two touchdown passes each.

Lott, a Troy University commit, rushed for 68 yards and passed for 134 yards. He was injured scrambling with 7:43 remaining in the game and did not return.

Star of the game: Yelding, who has been starting since his freshman season, made plays with his legs rushing for 31 yards to go along with five touchdowns through the air.

“We can be an explosive team and tonight we showed that no moment is too big for him and this team,” his coach and father said.

Play of the game: Yelding, facing fourth down, tossed a 30-yard touchdown pass as time expired in the first half to give Rain their first lead 25-21. The Red Raiders drove 67 yards on 5 plays, Yelding’s ninth completion of the first half landed in hands of 6-foot-2 senior Antonio Williams.

“Our offensive line has really come on strong here late in the season and allows receivers to get open and frees up enough time for me to find those guys,” said Amari Yelding.

Stat sheet: Bryce Dowdlan led Rain on the ground with 16 carries for 113 yards, including a 60-yard gain on the Red Raiders final scoring drive. Robinson caught three passes for 138 yards, all in the first half for Rain.

For UMS, Jake Jaye rushed for 31 yards and Camden Taylor added 53 yards receiving.

By the numbers: (2020) last region home loss by the Bulldogs. (2016) The last time the Red Raiders won five regular season games. (1) Pass completion for Amari Yelding in the second half, a nine-yard touchdown pass to Julius Rogers in the third quarter.

Did you know? The last time B.C. Rain won four consecutive regular season games was 2005.

Coachspeak: “We just wanted to come in and play our game and not let the moment be too big for us.” — Rain coach LT Yelding.

They said it: “All season we’ve been preaching and harping that we’ve got to break through, and I feel like tonight we accomplished that. It was a breakthrough victory for our program.” — Amari Yelding.

Next week: BC Rain (5-2, 3-2) hosts LeFlore. UMS (4-3, 3-2) hosts Citronelle as the 5A, Region 1 race tightens.