Picayune dismantles Natchez 55-8 in playoff opener

Picayune- Picayune scored on every position in the first half dismantling the Natchez Bulldogs 55-8 in the first round of the Class 5A playoffs on a chilly, wet, and windy evening inside Lee-Triplett Stadium.

Picayune started their first possession at the Natchez 43 after a good return by Cameron Thomas. Kaleb Hart scooted in from 26 yards out on the opening possession of the game to cap off a five play drive. Issac Brice converted the point after for a 7-0 lead with 9:43 left in the first quarter.

The Maroon Tide defense forced a three and out punt and gave the ball back to the offense at the Picayune 15. Jortin Raine broke loose and scored on a 58 yard touchdown run with 7:10 left in the quarter. Brice’s extra point caromed off the left upright and the score was 13-0.

All photos by Randy Brown/WRJW Sports

Jortin Raine (2) takes the hand off from Jakail Myers (9) on his 58 yard TD run

Kaleb Hart would score from 21 yards (11:53 in 2nd qtr), Raine scored from 1 yard out (5:31 in 2nd qtr) and again from 3 yards out (:24) to push the halftime lead to 34-0.

In the second half, Jakail Myers scored on a 1 yard run with 4:31 left in the third quarter, Dylan Schaubhut raced in from 44 yards away with 2:58 left in the third quarter, and Issac Hickman threw a 19 yard touchdown to Jayln Hart with 4:23 left in the game to close out Picayune’s scoring. Brice made all of his extra points in the second half.

Kaleb Hart (28) scoring his second TD; Raine (2) rips off a huge gain

Natchez scored on a 12 yard pass from Paul Hargrave to Cornelius Bailey with 11:16 left in the fourth quarter and Javontae Davis in the two point conversion.

Raine tallied 269 yards on 23 carries and Jairice Travis added 14 carries for 72 yards. Picayune ran for 503 yards.

Picayune (9-3) will travel to Laurel on Friday in the second round of the playoffs.