Picayune Defense Stymies Hattiesburg 7-0

Nicknamed the "'Goose Egg Gang" by Barry Harper for their ability to put "00" on the opposites side of the scoreboard, the Picayune Maroon Tide garnered their fourth (4th) shutout of the season as they turned back the Hattiesburg Tigers 7-0 at D.I. Patrick Stadium in Hattiesburg. The Goose Egg Gang has shut out their opponents for fifteen (15) consecutive quarters.

Senior Ryan "Double Nickel" Byrd was stellar for the Tide defense as he made stop after stop from his linebacker position. 

Senior defensive back Jimmy Jones had two interceptions that halted Tiger drives deep in Maroon Tide territory and also recovered a fumble on a Tide punt after Byrd had knocked the ball loose from the Tigers' Reggie Lee early in the second quarter.   With 4:36 left in game, Jones' second interception ended the Tigers last drive as he pulled down a Jermaine Jackson pass and returned it to the Tiger 45 yard line.  From there, the Tide was able convert two first downs and run out the clock for the victory.  

           #55  Ryan Byrd              #12  Jimmy Jones       #34 Lester Robinson           #45 Tim Gaff

The Tide held Hattiesburg on the opening possession of the game forcing them to punt.  Picayune took over at their own 38 yard line and put together a 9 play 62 yard drive that resulted in a 2 yard touchdown by junior Lester Robinson. Scott Hillary kicked the point after touchdown and the Tide led 7-0 with 6:51 left in the first quarter.  That's all the Goose Egg Gang defense needed.

Robinson, in his first varsity start at tailback, had 84 yards on 19 carries.  Robinson, normally an outside linebacker, split time at tailback with Quincy Coleman (11 rushes, 48 yards) as the Tide was without the services of Justin Magee, Cody Bales, and Gian Nixon.  Fullback Tim Gaff had a career high 16 carries for 66 yards. 

After the game, Coach Dodd Lee was very satisfied by his team's effort. 

"We've got some great kids. I am as proud of this win as any I have every had. Playoff wins, district championship wins, that win (tonight) means more to me than we've ever had."

On the play of Robinson and Coleman running the football, Lee said, "We got a great, great, great effort."

On Byrd's performance:  "Well, bless Ryan's heart. I am so glad he did well. He has struggled with assignments early in the year, but he's picked up his confidence and his concentration and he's gotten better and better, and he's really doing a good job."

On Jimmy Jones effort:  "I want to see a better a defensive back than Jimmy Jones. If there's one better, I want him on my team."

The Tide moves to 5-1 overall, 2-0 in Division 3-5A play.  Hattiesburg falls to 2-4 and 0-2.

The Tide now turns their attention to the Meridian Wildcats.  The Wildcats are 2-0 in division

play as they come calling on the Tide next week in Picayune.