November 7, 2008

Maroon Tide opens playoffs with 40-12 win over Forest Hill

by Carey Meitzler

Picayune extended their season with a 40-12 first round playoff win over Forest Hill.  The win gives the Maroon Tide a date with

the top-ranked 4-A team in the state, the Wayne County War Eagles next week in Waynesboro.

Chris Nixon scored on a 17 yard run to cap off the Tide's opening drive.  The drive covered 72 yards on 9 plays. Nick Riso's

PAT made it 7-0 with 7:53 left in the first quarter.

A Reggie Bailey interception gave the Tide the ball at the Forest Hill 48 yard line.  Picayune went the 48 yards in 10 plays with

Jarrod Jones scoring on a 4 yard run with 8:11 left in the second quarter.  Riso's PAT was wide left.

Picayune forced a Forest Hill punt after the kickoff and took over at the Tide 28.  It took 7 plays to cover the 66 yards with the

touchdown coming on a 10 yard pass from Jacob Kennedy to T'Darryl Grays.  Riso kicked the PAT to make it 20-0.

Photo by John Young

Jacob Kennedy (13) throws a pass behind protection from Jon Billups (79).

After a scoreless third quarter, Picayune marched 65 yards in 11 plays midway through the fourth quarter scoring on Jamal Hall's

2 yard run with 8:46 left to make it 26-0.

Forest Hill scored with 5:29 left on a 33 yard pass from Isiah James to Dylan Davis to make it 26-6.

Forest Hill attempted a on-side kick and Robert "B.J." Jeansonne picked up the ball, broke a tackle, and raced 45 yards for a

touchdown with 5:19 left.  Riso converted the PAT to make it 33-6.

Chris Nixon recovered a fumble at the Forest Hill 22 yard line on the next possession.  Jamal Hall scored five plays later on a

4 yard run to make it 40-6 with Riso's point after.

Forest Hill scored with :37 left on a 23 yard pass from Isiah James to Emmanuel Jeffries to make the final score 40-12.

Hall rushed for 140 yards on 20 carries.  Jarrod Jones had 69 yards on 12 rushes and Gabe Hinojosa gained 44 yards on

8 totes.  Kennedy was 5 of 9 for 121 yards.

Picayune will travel to Wayne County for next week's second round of the Class 4A playoffs.