Wayne County War Eagles Soar Over Maroon Tide 35-21

by Carey Meitzler

Top-ranked Wayne County (12-0) raced to a 28-0 halftime lead and held off a second half comeback from Picayune (5-5) and

posted a 35-21 win in the second round of the Class 4A playoffs at War Eagle Stadium in Waynesboro. 

Wayne County returned the opening kickoff to the Maroon Tide 45.  On first down, Picayune' Glenn Agnelly sacked the War

Eagles' Drexler Johnson for a seven yard loss and it appeared the Maroon Tide was prepared for the War Eagles' spread offense. 

But, Johnson calmly completed his next four passes and marched his team to an opening drive touchdown.  The score occurred

on the seventh play of the drive on a 5 yard TD pass to Maquiese Ray.  Brandon Sellars PAT made it 7-0 with 8:27 left in the

quarter.

Picayune's opening possession was a 3 and out affair as the War Eagles' defense tackled Picayune's Josh Means for a 2 yard loss

on a wingback reverse on third and 4 for the Tide at their own 36.  The ensuing punt was returned 74 yards for a touchdown by

Kennard Arrington and with another Sellars PAT it was 14-0 with 5:55 on the clock.

With Picayune unable to convert a first down on their next two possessions, Wayne County scored on their first possession of the

second quarter with a 8 play 61 yard drive.  The touchdown was a Johnson 7 yard pass to Jacques McBride with 8:55 on the clock.

Sellars PAT made it 21-0.

Picayune would get a first down on the next possession with a 15 yard pass from Alex Riser to Courtney McDougle, but the Tide

would go no further and punted back to Wayne County.  The War Eagles marched 59 yards in 4 plays getting a 5 yard TD run

from Tracey Lampley. Sellars added the PAT for a 28-0 lead.

Picayune came to life on the first possession of the second half.  The Maroon Tide went 67 yards in 5 plays as Justin Berry's number

was called on every snap and he responded by ending the drive with a 12 yard TD run. Erveng Gonzalez booted the PAT and

the lead was 28-7 with 10:07.

Chance Griffith forced a fumble on Wayne County's third play after the ensuing kickoff and Picayune's offense responded once

again.  On third and 7 at the War Eagle 12, Riser rolled to his left and threw a perfect strike to tight end Clydell Jones who made

a nice running catch at the 2 and drew a War Eagle with him into the end zone.  The PAT by Gonzalez made it 28-14 with 5:08 left

in the quarter.

The Tide defense allowed a Wayne County first down, but stiffened at the War Eagle 46 forcing a punt to the Tide 11 yard line.

On first down, Riser's pass was intercepted at the Tide 38.  Wayne County would then move the ball to the Tide 17 turning the ball

over on downs as the Tide defense rose to the occasion.

Picayune fumbled the ball back to Wayne County on the first play at their own 18 yard line.  On Wayne County's first play after the

turnover, Lampley scooted 18 yards around right end for the touchdown and a 35-14 lead with 9:23 left in the fourth quarter.

Picayune responded with a time consuming drive on their next possession going 69 yards in 13 plays.  Berry scored from 2 yards

out with 2:23 to play. Gonzalez's PAT made the final 35-21.

Berry finished with 129 yards on 27 carries.  Alex Riser completed 6 of 12 passes for 103 yards.

Lampley paced the War Eagles with 115 yards on 16 rushes. Johnson passed for 144 yards completing 11 of 15 attempts.

Wayne County will travel to Mendenhall next week for the South State's third round.