'Hounds & Tigers Prevail over Tide at USM

by Carey Meitzler

The Picayune Maroon Tide was defeated 7-6 by Ocean Springs and 22-7 by Hattiesburg in jamboree action played at M.M. Roberts

Stadium on the campus of USM in Hattiesburg.  The format allowed each team a total of four quarters of action consisting of two quarters

against two different opponents.  Picayune, Ocean Springs, Hattiesburg, Pearl, and Gulfport participated..

Jamboree photos courtesy of Karen Robbins

Ocean Springs 7  Picayune 6

Picayune stormed out of the gate behind the running of senior tailback Justin Berry in the first game against Ocean Springs. Berry

rushed 6 times for 78 yards on the Tide's first possession including a 49 yard scamper that moved the ball to the 'Hound 5 yard line. 

After senior fullback Tyler Lee carried the ball to the 1 yard line, Berry scored on a 1 yard touchdown run.  Joe Burrage's extra point

was wide left and Picayune led 6-0 with 7:27 showing on the clock.

The Maroon Tide defense held the Greyhounds on the next possession forcing a punt.  Picayune was unable to move the ball and punted

it back to Ocean Springs. The 'Hounds fake punt attempt on fourth down at the Tide 40 was unsuccessful and Picayune took over with

3:00 left in the quarter.

Picayune drove to the 'Hound 16, but Burrage pushed a 32 yard field goal attempt wide left giving the ball back to Ocean Springs.

The 'Hounds would then put together a scoring drive of 80 yards in 9 plays with D'Aundre Brown hauling in a 25 yard touchdown pass from

John Tosch with 9:36 left on the second quarter clock.  The PAT put Ocean Springs on top 7-6.

Picayune's next possession saw the Tide move the ball from their own 20 to the 'Hound 31, but a fourth down attempt came up short.

The Tide's defense held, forcing an Ocean Springs punt. 

Starting at their own 44, Picayune drove to the OS 34, but once again turned the ball over on downs with just under a minute to play.

Justin Berry finished with 168 yards on 18 carries. He also produced a 14 yard gain on a screen pass from junior quarterback Micah

Hickman.

        Justin Berry                                  Kaleb Raybon                   Courtney McDougle

Hattiesburg 22   Picayune 7

In the game against Hattiesburg, Picayune started off with a bang as sophomore Drew Cole recovered the opening kickoff at the Tiger

20 yard line, but the Tide turned the ball over on a fumble on 3rd down.

Hattiesburg wasted little time in responding, as All State running back Jonathan "Bubba" Kirksey busted off a 78 yard touchdown run

with 10:36 showing on the clock.  The PAT was good giving the Tigers a 7-0 lead.

Picayune answered on the next possesion driving 85 yards in 14 plays.  Junior wingback Courtney McDougle scored from 9 yards out on

a reverse. Burrage's extra point split the uprights to tie the game at 7-7 with 1:24 left.

Hattiesburg fumbled on the first play after the ensuing kickoff and junior safety Chance Griffith jumped on the loose ball at the Tiger 29.

The Tide moved the ball to the Tiger 11, but a fumbled pitch was scooped up by Hattiesburg's Malcolm Keys and Keys rumbled 84 yards

for a score to give the Tigers a 14-7 lead after the extra point.

Picayune was forced to punt on their next possession.  Hattiesburg would score four plays later as Kirksey broke free on a 40 yard run.

The Tigers added a 2 point conversion to make 22-7.

Picayune's next possession started at their own 11 yard line and would eventually end at the Tigers 10 yard line on a failed fourth down

pass attempt with 1:09 to play.

Justin Berry finished with 65 yards on 13 carries.  Junior fullback Dale Meitzler had 4 rushes for 20 yards and McDougle had 22 yards

on 4 rushes.  Junior Micah Hickman was 3 of 6 passing for 53 yards including completions of 13 and 29 yards to senior wide receiver

Kaleb Raybon.

The Tide now turns their attention to their season opener next week as they will host the Moss Point Tigers at Tide Stadium.  Kickoff is

scheduled for 7:30pm.