Picayune Rolls Past Poplarville 46-6

by Carey Meitzler

The Picayune Maroon Tide posted a 46-6 win over Poplarville to secure their right to host a first round playoff game in two weeks.

Picayune's smothering defense was the difference as they shackled the Hornets allowing only one first down the entire game.

Picayune (4-4, 4-1) held the Hornets on their first possession and the Tide's Justin Griffith returned the punt to the Hornet 26.  Justin

Berry carried the ball on five consecutive plays scoring a 2 yard touchdown on the last run for a 6-0 lead with 7:56 left in the first period.

The point after touchdown was no good.

Picayune would score their second touchdown when Dale Meitzler ran in from 15 yards out to cap off a 7 play 51 yard drive with 5:40 left

in the second quarter.  The 2 point conversion attempt was no good and Picayune led 12-0 at the half.

Photos courtesy of John Young

Justin Berry (35) goes airborne against in the Tide's 46-6 win.  Alex Riser (16) scores on a keeper in 3rd quarter.

Picayune increased their lead to 18-0 on the first possession of the second half when Alex Riser scored on a 2 yard run around left end

at the 5:31 mark.  Riser's touchdown completed a 14 play 67 yard drive.  The PAT was no good.

On the next possession, Drew Cole intercepted a Hornet pass and returned it to the 2 yard line.  The Hornets forced the Tide to 4th down

and goal at the 2 yard line when Justin Berry scored with 2:24 left in the 3rd quarter.  Erveng Gonzalez kicked the PAT for a 25-0 lead.

Picayune scored the next time they got the ball with Albert Richard racing in from 14 yards out to cap off a 7 play 72 yard drive.

Gonzalez point after touchdown was good and Picayune led 32-0 with 8:51 left in the game.

Photos courtesy of John Young

Drew Cole (2) snags a pass from Alex Riser & Dale Meitzler (40) on his way to a touchdown.

Photos courtesy of John Young

Bryce May (51) and Josh Means (34) look on as Justin Berry (35) scores a touchdown.

Brent Acker blocked Poplarville's punt on the next possession and Cole scored on first down from 19 yards out.  Gonzalez tacked on

the PAT for a 39-0 advantage with 6:57 to play.

Poplarville's Chancelor Houston raced 83 yards for a touchdown on the first play after the kickoff to avoid a shutout.

Picayune scored on the next possession as reserve tailback Tyron Bell took a pitch from fellow sophomore Caleb Hickman and rambled

down the right sideline for a 35 yard touchdown with 1:16 left in the game. Gonzalez added the PAT for the final count of 46-6.

Berry paced the Tide with 131 yards on 27 carries.   Alex Riser completed 3 of 7 passes for 43 yards.

Picayune will be off the last week of the regular season before opening the playoffs at home on November 11.  The opponent will be the

3rd seed from Division 6-4A  (details)

Poplarville (2-6,2-3) will play Amite, LA next week and then will play at the Division 6-4A winner on November 11.