Oct 7, 2023

Maroon Tide washes away Pascagoula in region opener

by Carey Meitzler/WRJW Sports

Audio replay of the game (Click Here)

Pascagoula—Picayune raced to a 30-0 lead and cruised to a 51-14 win over the Pascagoula Panthers in a driving rainstorm at War Memorial Stadium. The win came after an open date for the Maroon Tide.

Picayune took the opening kickoff and moved the ball to the Panther 6 before turning the ball over on downs. But two plays later, the Maroon Tide defense got the ball back on a fumble recovery by Triston Cooper at the ‘Goula 3. On third down, Brady Robertson scored on a 2 yard run and Morgan Craft kicked the point after for a 7-0 lead with 3:57 remaining in the quarter.

An interception by Brandon “Bam” Parker on the Panther’s possession after the kickoff gave Picayune the ball at the ‘Goula 27. Eight plays later Darrell Smith sliced in from 1 yard out. Craft split the uprights on the extra point for a 14-0 lead with 11:51 left in the second quarter.

Picayune made it 16-0 when Jamonta Waller blocked a Panther punt that squirted out of the end zone for a safety.

After the free kick, Picayune scored on its fourth play on a Smith 40 yard sprint up the middle with 7:59 left in the half. Craft converted the point after for 23-0 lead.

Photo by Trenton Gascho

Darrell Smith looks for an opening to run through

After a Panther punt, Picayune started at its own 9. On third down, Niquis Ratcliff took the handoff, broke two tackles, and raced 87 yards for a touchdown. Craft kicked the extra point for a 30-0 lead with 5:31 remaining in the second quarter.

Picayune got the ball with 2:58 on the clock, moved the ball to the Panther 3 yard line. A Maroon Tide fumble was picked up by ‘Goula’s Jaden Webb and ran back for a 97 yard touchdown on the last play of the half. The Panther’s converted a 2 point conversion to make it 30-8.

In the third quarter, Ratcliff scored on a 1 yard run with 4:44 on the clock and Craft punched the point after through the posts for a 37-8 lead.

‘Goula scored on its next possession on a 40 yard touchdown pass from Silas Corder to Darius Carter with 3:09 left to make it 37-14.

Picayune added another touchdown when Amarion “The Tackling Machine” Tyson blocked a Panther punt and the ball deflected into the hands of J.B. McWilliams (pictured), who ran it in from 10 yards out for the touchdown.

On ‘Goula’s next possession, McWilliams recovered a fumble at the Panther 48. Four plays later, Jeremiah Contee busted up the middle for a 19 yard touchdown to close out the scoring.

Photo by Trenton Gascho