November 20, 2009

Moss Point holds off Maroon Tide 35-20

by Carey Meitzler

Moss Point--The Moss Point Tigers built a 28-0 lead, but had to fight off a furious rally by the Picayune Maroon Tide and the

Tigers held on for a 35-20 win in the second round of the Class 5A South State playoffs in front of approximately 5,000 fans at

Dantzler Stadium.

After a scoreless first quarter, Moss Point broke the ice on junior Byron James'  60 yard sprint with 11:02 left in the second

quarter. Jason Loris' PAT made it 7-0.

After Picayune punted the ball on their next possession, the Tigers marched 71 yards in 6 plays with sophomore Joe Kirkland

scrambling around until he found Darius Stallworth free down the right sideline for a 37 yard touchdown pass.  Loris converted

the point after touchdown for a 14-0 advantage with 6:01 left.

Kirkland extended the lead to 21-0 on a 14 yard touchdown pass to fullback Reggie Matthews and Loris kicked the extra point

with 4:20 left in the half.

On the Tigers first possession of the second half, Kirkland tossed a perfect strike to DeAdrian Terry for a 39 yard touchdown

with 10:57 left in the third quarter.  Loris converted again to make it 28-0.

Picayune responded with a 6 play 55 yard drive that resulted in a 4 yard touchdown run by wingback Chris Burton with 8:17

on the clock.  Pacer Frierson kicked the point after.

Picayune got the ball back when Troy Egana recovered a fumble at the Tigers' 40.

The Maroon Tide drove the 40 yards in 4 plays with senior quarterback Jacob Kennedy scoring on a 1 yard sneak.  The point

after was no good and Picayune trailed 28-13 with 4:33 left in the third.

Picayune cut the lead to 28-20 with 6:59 left in the game when Scottie Merrill connected with Burton for a 28 yard touchdown

on a halfback pass. Frierson kicked the PAT.

But Moss Point was able to put the game away as they drove 68 yards in 7 plays with James scoring from 25 yards out with

3:55 left.

Picayune got 87 yards from Jamal Hall on 18 carries, but it was evident that Hall was not 100% since injuring his ankle in the

regular season finale against Wayne County.   Jarrod Jones had 65 yards on 3 rushes, including bursts of 32 and 28 yards.

Kirkland completed 10 of 15 passess for 185 yards while James rushed for 187 yards.

Moss Point (11-2) will travel to Wayne County for the South State championship the day after Thanksgiving.

Picayune finished 8-4 on the season.