Picayune shuts out Forest Hill 42-0 to advance in playoffs

Carey Meitzler/WRJW

Audio replay (Click Here)

Picayune- Picayune started slow, but finished fast in its 42-0 win over Forest Hill at Lee-Triplett Stadium.

Forest Hill returned the opening kickoff to the Maroon Tide 17 on a touchdown saving tackle by Niquis Ratcliff. After the Patriots converted a fourth down pass for a first down, Picayune held on downs to thwart the possession.

Picayune was able to get two first downs despite numerous penalties, but eventually had to punt the ball away. The Maroon Tide defense forced a punt and the offense setup shop on the Forest Hill 46. Six plays later, Niquis Ratcliff scored on a 5 yard run and Morgan Craft’s extra point made it 7-0 with 7:32 left in the first half.

After an exchange of punts, Picayune got the ball at the Forest Hill 48. Ratcliff scored five plays later on a 14 yard run with 1:19 on the clock. Craft made it 14-0 with the point after.

Photos by Trenton Gascho

Picayune scored on the first possession of the third quarter on a 19 yard run by Chris Davis (pictured above). Craft was true once again on the point after for a 21-0 lead with 10:15 left in the third quarter.

Kyler King got the ball back with a diving interception on a ‘tip drill’ pass at the Maroon Tide 34.

Picayune scored six plays later on a 14 yard run by Jerimiah Contee with 5:14 left in the third quarter. Picayune added a 5 yard run by Darrell Smith with 10:38 left in the fourth quarter. Ratcliff closed out the scoring with a 56 yard sprint with 3:25 left to close out the scoring.

Picayune’s defense held Forest Hill to a net total offense of 41 yards.

Picayune (9-2) will host Pascagoula (8-3) in the second round of the playoffs. Pascagoula defeated Hattiesburg 7-6 to advance.