Turnovers doom Maroon Tide in 35-23 loss to West Jones

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Picayune—Picayune dug itself into a huge hole with two turnovers that helped West Jones to an early lead they would never relinquish. The result was a 35-23 win for the Mustangs at Lee-Triplett Stadium in the first round of the Class 5A playoffs.

Picayune fumbled the opening kickoff and again on their first play from scrimmage. West Jones capitalized on both with two touchdown passes from Allan Follis to Marlon Lindsey for a 14-0 lead just three minutes and twenty seconds into the game.

Photos by Randy Brown/WRJW Sports

Andrew Willis (28) and Dekevyion 'Birdman' Jones (45) converge for a tackle

On its second possession, Picayune put points on the board on a 27 yard field goal by freshman placekicker Morgan Craft with 2:18 left in the quarter to make it 14-3.

West Jones was unable to move the ball and punted to Picayune. The possession resulted in a missed field goal. Once again the Maroon Tide forced another Mustang punt.

Picayune would score in just four plays on a 10 yard run by senior Austin Samples. One play before the touchdown, senior Isaac Hickman connected on a 66 yard pass play to senior Jayshawn Lee. Craft’s point after made it 14-10 with 3:56 left in the half.

West Jones fumbled the second half kickoff, but four plays later, Picayune fumbled it away at the Mustang 11.

West Jones responded with a 10 play drive that produced a 15 yard touchdown run by Kentrel Pruitt with 7:21 left in the third quarter.

Picayune came right back with another Samples’ touchdown from 3 yards out with 4:37 left in the quarter to make it 21-17 after Craft’s point after.

Austin Samples (2) fights for yardage against West Jones

West Jones pushed to lead to 28-17 on a touchdown pass from Follis to Zyquawn Williams with :47 left in the third quarter.

Samples scored again on a 6 yard run with 3:32 left in the game and Picayune went for the two point conversion, but an pass attempt fell incomplete.

West Jones put the game away on its next possession on another Follis to Williams touchdown pass, this time from 48 yards.

Samples finished with 140 yards on 25 carries for Picayune (8-3).

West Jones (10-2) will play at Laurel next week.