Picayune beats Laurel 41-22 to advance to South State Championship game
Laurel—A determined Picayune Maroon Tide dominated both sides of the line of scrimmage to beat Laurel 41-22 and advance to next week’s Class 5A South State Championship game. Picayune will host West Jones who defeated previously unbeaten Hattiesburg 37-14 to advance to next Friday's matchup at Lee-Triplett Stadium.
Picayune drained 6 minutes and 32 seconds off the clock on their first possession scoring on a 5 yard run by Kade Turnage. Facing fourth down and four at the Tornadoes’ 35, quarterback Jakail Myers faked the ball to tailback Jortin Raine and then scooted around right end on a bootleg keeper to the Laurel 10.
Juvonta Raymond ran for 5 yards before Turnage’s touchdown. Issac Brice kicked the point after for a 7-0 lead with 5:19 left in the quarter.
Laurel responded with a touchdown run after the Picayune kickoff with Xavier Evans scoring on a quarterback draw, racing in on a third and eight from the Picayune 42 with 1:02 left in the quarter. William Mora converted the extra point to tie the game at 7-7.
The Maroon Tide scored on their next possession with a 13 play drive covering 75 yards and taking 6 minutes and 23 seconds with Myers scoring from two yards out with 6:28 left before halftime. Kaleb Hart had a 34 run in the drive. The point after was wide right and Picayune led 13-7.
After the Tide kickoff, Laurel was facing third down and four to go at their own 44 when Kade Turnage step in front of a Tornado receiver, intercepted the pass, and sprinted in for a touchdown with 5:25 left. Brice converted the point after to give Picayune a 20-7 lead.
Photo by Carey Meitzler/WRJW Sports
Jortin Raine (2) turns the corner on blocks by Kade Turnage (34) & Deonta Reed (72) vs Laurel
After an exchange of punts to start the third quarter, Picayune would get ball at their 47 when Raymond intercepted a pass. On the first snap on offense, Raine bulled his way up the middle breaking five tackles before being tackled at the Laurel 3. Two plays later Myers scored on a 2 yard keeper off right guard and Brice’s point after made it 27-7 with 4:29 left in the third quarter.
Laurel scored on their next possession on a screen pass to Zias Perryman from 47 yards out and Mora’s extra point made 27-14 with 1:39 left in the third quarter.
Picayune came right back after the kickoff and marched 67 yards in 8 plays with Turnage dragging three Laurel defenders with him into the end zone for a 15 yard touchdown with 10:13 left in the game. Brice’s extra point made it 34-14.
Laurel scored on their next possession on a 30 pass play from Evans to Jontarious Henderson and got a two point conversion to make 34-22 with 5:40 to play.
The Maroon Tide then iced the game with a Raine 14 yard touchdown run with 2:37 left.
Laurel’s last drive was stopped on another interception by Raymond and Picayune kneeled on the ball to run out the clock.
Picayune (10-3) ran for 389 yards with Raine leading the way with 20 rushes for 212 yards. Kaleb Hart had 66 yards on 4 carries while Turnage finished with 9 carries for 60 yards. Myers added 36 yards on 10 carries.
