Maroon Tide Edges Meridian 17-14 in Overtime Thriller

     #10 Scott Hillery           #13 Chris Stewart    #27 Stephen Hall     #24 Quincy Coleman

Junior Scott Hillery kicked a 19 yard field goal in overtime for the Maroon Tide as they overcame

turnovers and horrible playing conditions to defeat the Meridian Wildcats 17-14.  The game was a battle

of two teams that entered the game with unblemished 2-0 Division 3-5A records.  For the Maroon

Tide faithful who braved the wet conditions, they were rewarded with a thrilling come from behind effort

from the Tide.

On the Tide's second possession of the game, Justin Magee was running for what appeared to be a touchdown,

but fumbled the football at the 'Cat 3 yard line.  The ball scooted out the back of the end zone resulting in

a touchback and Meridian took over at their own 20 yard line. The first quarter ended with neither team scoring.

Meridian got on the scoreboard first in the second quarter as they took advantage of a Picayune turnover. 

After intercepting a pass at the Tide 45, Meridian scored on a 15 yard run by Cordera Eason capping off

the five play drive. Andrew Gambrell converted the PAT and Meridian had a 7-0 lead with 9:12 left in the half.

But the Tide came back on the next possession as Chris Stewart faked the ball to his fullback, kept the ball

around right end and raced down the right sideline 73 yards for the touchdown.  Scott Hillery kicked the

extra point and with 7:35 left in the second quarter, the game was tied at 7-7. Meridian had a chance to take

the lead just before half time, but Gambrell's 52 yard field goal attempt was wide left.

Midway through the third quarter, with Picayune facing a second down from their own 9 yard line, Chris Stewart

faked a handoff to his fullback, pulled the ball out, turned the corner was headed for a 91 yard touchdown. The officials,

however, had blown the play dead thinking that the fullback had the ball and Stewart's run was nullified.  The Tide,

unable to convert a first down, punted to Meridian. Meridian's Thomas McCoy returned the punt 44 yards to the

Maroon Tide 2 yard line.  Cordera Eason scored on the next play.  Gambrell tacked on the PAT and Meridian

led 14-7 with 3:41 to go in the third quarter.

After a series of punts by both teams, the Tide fumbled the ball on their 34 yard line.  However, the defense stiffened

and Andrew Gambrell attempted a 48 yard field goal that was short and the Tide remained only a touchdown and an

extra point from tying the score. The Tide took over at their own 20 with 5:29 left in regulation.  The Tide drove to

the 'Cat 38 yard line. Facing third and sixteen, Chris Stewart lofted a pass to Quincy Coleman around the 35 yard line. 

Coleman side stepped two defenders and sprinted in for the touchdown.  Scott Hillery kicked the extra point and the game

was tied at 14-14 with 3:03 left in the fourth quarter.   Each team had one more possession in regulation, but neither

was able to move the football.

In the overtime, the Tide won the toss and elected to play defense first.  On Meridian's first play from the Tide 10 yard

line, they committed their only turnover of the night laying it on the ground and a swarm of Tide defenders jumped on

the ball.   On the Tide's first play in overtime, Justin Magee ran it down to the 2 yard line.  On second down, Chris

Stewart tried to sneak it in, but could only gain one yard. On third down, Chris Stewart faked a handoff to Magee,

kept it around left end, but was stopped just shy of the goal line.   On fourth down, Scott Hillery kicked the 19 yard field

goal from the left hash mark to lift the Tide to the thrilling 17-14 victory. 

Justin Magee, who twice removed himself from the game as he was battling the leftover effect of the flu, led the Tide

with 114 yards on 24 carries.  Stephan Hall had a lot of big plays for the Tide defense throughout the contest, particularly

in the fourth quarter, was named the Pizza Hut Player of the Game. 

Picayune will be at home next week as they host the Brandon Bulldogs. Kick off is set for 7:30pm. The Tide advances

their record to 6-1 overall, 3-0 in division play.  Meridian drops to 4-3 overall and now sporting a 2-1 Division

3-5A record.