Picayune rallies to beat Gautier in overtime to stay unbeaten
Audio replay of the game (Click Here)
Picayune – Picayune scored late to send the game against Gautier into overtime, and the Maroon Tide prevailed with a heart-stopping 48-42 win on Thursday night.
The Maroon Tide and Gators swapped blows as each team scored on their first possession of the game. Gautier scored on an 8 yard pass from Kaden Irving to Aaron Phillips and Picayune countered with a 2 yard touchdown run by Dante Dowdell.
The Gators went ahead again on a 10 yard pass from Irving to Trey Irving with 8:50 left in the second quarter. Picayune responded with a Chris Davis’ 3 yard run with 6:10 left.
After each team turned the ball over on downs, Irving connected with Dillon Alfred for a 33 yard touchdown pass with :32 left in the half.
On Picayune’s first snap after the Gator kickoff, Brady Robertson took the snap from his own 22 yard line and lofted a perfect pass to Jessiah Contee at the Picayune 45 and Contee streaked down the Maroon Tide sideline for the touchdown with :13 left.
On the ensuing kickoff, Phillips took it in at his 10 and raced up the middle field past the Picayune coverage team, but Craft was able to tackle Phillips with a touchdown saving tackle at the Gator 45. On second down, Picayune’s defense sacked Irving to end the half with the game tied at 21-21.
Gautier’s Maurice Gregory and Picayune’s Morgan Craft were perfect in the first half on the point after touchdown kicks.
Photos by Randy Brown/WRJW Sports
Chris Davis (6) uses a stiff arm to get extra yardage.
Picayune scored first in the second half kickoff when Chris Davis slashed in from 3 yards out to cap off a 7 play 56 yard drive with 7:25 left in the quarter.
Gautier answered on its first play after the Picayune kickoff with an 80 yard touchdown pass from Irving to Phillips with 7:03 left.
Picayune turned the ball over on its next possession and Gautier took a 35-28 lead on Irving’s 14 yard pass to Alfred with 1:32 left in the third quarter.
The Maroon Tide got even on a Dowdell 2 yard touchdown run with 9:10 to play.
Picayune held the Gators after Gautier was unable to score with the ball at the Picayune 15 yard line.
On the Maroon Tide’s third snap after the change of possession, Gautier took the lead on a pick six interception return with 3:53 left in the game.
After the Gator kickoff, Picayune started at its 22. The Maroon Tide was facing fourth down and seven to go from its 26 when Robertson was flushed from the pocket, moved to his right, and found Contee along the sideline at the Picayune 40. Contee raced down the sideline to the Gator 23. Three plays later, Dowdell scored on a 5 yard run with 1:08 left.
Picayune forced Gautier to punt on their next possession and the Maroon Tide got it back at its 25. On first down, Gautier intercepted a pass at the Gator 39. Three plays later, Chris Davis intercepted a Gator pass at the Picayune 15 to end regulation play.
Gautier (9-1, 6-1) was unable to score in their possession in overtime. Picayune scored on its first play with Dowdell bulling his way in from 10 yards by breaking three tackles along the way.
Dowdell (pictured above) had 177 yards on 30 carries and Davis added 89 yards on 15 rushes.
Picayune (11-0, 7-0) will host a 1st Round Playoff Game on Friday against either Laurel or Wayne County depending on the outcome of the Laurel-Hattiesburg game on Saturday night.
