Maroon Tide holds off Jefferson Davis County 41-33
Audio replay (Click Here)
Picayune—Picayune found a way to beat Jefferson Davis County (JDC) on Saturday night despite big play after big play from the speedy Jaguars in the Maroon Tide's 41-33 win at Lee-Triplett Stadium.
JDC scored on its second possession after losing the ball on a fumble on the game’s opening possession. The touchdown came on a 66 yard run by Malcolm Hartzog with 6:06 on the first quarter clock. The point after was blocked.
Picayune, who punted on its first possession after the JDC fumble, responded with a 5 play 75 yard drive with Donte Dowdell scoring on a 3 yard run. Dowdell had a 67 run on the second play of the drive to put the ball at the JDC 12. Morgan Craft’s extra point was good and made the score 7-6 with 3:28 left in the first quarter.
All photos by Randy Brown/WRJW Sports
Donte Dowdell (2) fights off a JDC Jaguar defender
The Maroon Tide defense held JDC and forced a punt that gave Picayune the ball at its 37. On second down, Dowdell broke three tackles and outran the JDC last defender on his way to a 63 yard touchdown. The point after ricocheted off the left upright and the score was 13-7 with :55 left in the quarter.
After another JDC three and out, Picayune took over at its 25 after the punt.
On first down, Dawson Underwood completed a 37 yard pass to Jessiah Contee. One play later, Chris Davis scooted and weaved his way down the left sideline for a 37 yard touchdown run with 10:08 left in the half. Craft’s point after was perfect to make it 20-6.
Chris Davis (6) on his way for a 37 yard touchdown run.
JDC answered with a 72 yard run by Demario Booth on its possession after the Picayune kickoff. The point after was good by Jhamarion Johnson to bring the score to 20-13.
Picayune got on the scoreboard before halftime on Dowdell’s third touchdown of the game on an 8 yard run with 2:28 left in the half. Craft was again down the middle with his extra point for a 27-13 lead.
After holding Picayune to a three and out on the first possession of the third quarter, JDC cut the lead to 27-20 on a 15 yard run by Hartzog and a Johnson point after with 9:39 left in the third.
Amarion Tyson (29) makes a tackle as Dakeyvion "Birdman" Jones (45) converges
Picayune responded with a 13 play 69 yard drive that consumed 6 mins and 35 seconds of time with Dorian Robinson reaching the end zone on a 5 yard run. Craft’s point after was again good and Picayune led 34-20 with 3:04 left in the third quarter.
Hartzog returned the ensuing kickoff 90 yards for a touchdown and the Johnson extra point was good.
The Maroon Tide responded when Chris Davis scored his second touchdown on a 13 yard run on the first play of the fourth quarter and the Craft extra point made it 41-27.
After and exchange of punts, JDC scored on a Hartzog 53 yard run with 7:40 to play, but the extra point was no good making 41-33.
Dowdell lead the Picayune offense with 212 yards on 27 carries. Davis finished with 13 rushes for 89 yards. JDC's Hartzog ran for 152 yards on seven carries.
Picayune (2-0) hits the road on Friday at Gulfport.
