Picayune Wins Homecoming Game over Hancock 40-3

by Carey Meitzler

Picayune was looking forward to their return to the friendly confines of Picayune Memorial Stadium

for a couple of reasons.  First, they desparately needed a win to keep their playoff hopes alive and

secondly, it was time to celebrate Homecoming.  Both turned out the way the Maroon Tide had hoped

as they won the game 40-3 and the pre-game crowning of Allie Miller as Queen was only a prelude

to a dominating performance against the rebuilding Hancock Hawks.

Picayune scored on their first possesion covering the 80 yards in 7 plays with senior Cody Bales

running in the touchdown from 6 yards out.  Scott Hillery's conversion made it 7-0 with 8:48 on the

clock.

The Maroon Tide defense held the Hawks, forced a punt, and the offense put together a 8 play 53 yard

drive capped off on 12 yard touchdown run by sophomore Robert Jackson.  Hillery's PAT made it

14-0 with 2:35 left in the first quarter.

Hancock was able to get a 37 yard field goal from Justin Ratcliff on their next possession to make

it 14-3, but Picayune went 80 yards on their next possesion with Bales running in from 19 yards on

the 7th play of the drive with 8:39 left in the second quarter, coupled with senior Scott Hillery's PAT,

the Tide led 21-3.

After holding Hancock, Picayune scored on their next possession as Jackson scored from 12 yards

out with :35 left before halftime.  Hillery's fourth conversion made it 28-3.

The Tide would score again late in the third quarter when Robert Jackson got his third touchdown of

the night on a 17 yard run with 1:40 left on the clock.  The PAT was blocked making it 34-3.

Sophomore Kelvis "Don't Call Me Elvis" Bowens raced 33 yards to close out the scoring for the Tide

with 2:09 left in the game.  Hancock was able to once again block the conversion attempt making the

final score 40-3.

Bales finished with 123 yards on 13 rushes.  Jackson carried 15 times for 116 yards.  Senior fullback

Tim Gaff had 77 yards on 4 attempts.   Junior quarterback Alex Riser was 4 of 4 passing for 90 yards.

Picayune (5-3, 3-2) will travel to play at Northwest Rankin (8-1, 5-0) in a key Division 3-5A.

Hancock (1-8, 1-4) will be at Meridian (7-0-1, 5-0).