Maroon Tide blasts Brookhaven 49-10
Audio replay of Picayune / Brookhaven (Click here)
Picayune--Picayune look like they were in trouble early against Brookhaven, but the Maroon Tide responded behind five touchdowns from Cameron Thomas and beat the Panthers 49-10 to advance to round 2 of the Class 5A South State playoffs at Lee-Triplett Stadium.
Brookhaven forced a punt on Picayune’s first possession and the Panthers scored two plays later on a 21 yard run by Dre Ross. Trace Brady’s extra point made it 7-0 with 9:20 left in the first quarter.
The Maroon Tide looked like they were going to tie it up on the ensuing kickoff when a Maroon Tide returner was on his way into the end zone, but the Panthers forced a fumble and recovered in the end zone for a
touchback giving the ball to Brookhaven on the 20 yard line. Picayune held Brookhaven and forced a punt.
All photos by Randy Brown / WRJW Sports
Elijah Jenkins (54) and Chad Dudenhefer (22) defend a run
Starting at the Panther 48, the Maroon Tide took 6 plays to score with Kade Turnage crashing in from 3 yards out. Austin Samples tied it up with the extra point with 5:18 left in the first quarter.
The Maroon Tide held Brookhaven again and took over at the Picayune 43 after the punt. On the fifth play, Cameron Thomas broke free and sprinted 48 yards for the touchdown. The point after was wide right.
After the Picayune defense forced another punt, the Maroon Tide started at their own 29. Isaac Hickman connected with Turnage for a 26 yard pass play on first down and Thomas scored one play later on a 45 yard run on the first play of the second quarter. Samples’ point after made if 20-7 with 11:50 on the clock.
Cameron Thomas (8) makes a cutback move against Brookhaven
Brookhaven’s next possession produced a 21 yard field goal by Brady to make it 20-10 with 6:50 left.
Thomas got his third touchdown on Picayune’s next possession for a 17 yard run after Turnage ran for 21 yards on first down and Jalen Hall added a 26 yard run just before Thomas’ run. Samples kicked the extra point to make it 27-10 with 5:48 left in the half.
Picayune forced a Panther punt on the next possession and went on a 9 play 78 yard drive with Thomas scooting in from 16 yards out. Picayune went for two and Hall ran it end around right end to make 35-10 with :27 left.
Jalen Hall (20) takes a handoff from Isaac Hickman (6) on a 2 pt conversion
Picayune added a 50 yard run by Thomas with 11:50 left in the game and freshman Donte Dowdell closed out the scoring with a 73 yard sprint with 7:01 left. Samples kicked both extra points.
Leonard Taylor and Dorian Robinson had interceptions for Picayune in the fourth quarter to stop Brookhaven possessions.
Thomas finished with 17 carries for 282 yards. Isaac Hickman completed 4 of 6 for 64 yards.
Picayune (12-0) will host Laurel (10-2) on Friday in Round 2 of the playoffs.
