Picayune gets ‘Picks’ to defeat Laurel

Audio replay of the game (Click Here)

Picayune- Picayune’s defense once again delivered a strong performance and came up with four interceptions in propelling the Maroon Tide to a 24-9 win over the Laurel Golden Tornadoes in the 1st round of the Class 5A playoffs.

All photos by Randy Brown / WRJW Sports

Darnell Smith (41) crosses the mid-field stripe on his way to a 68 yard TD run.

After an exchange of punts, Picayune’s Darnell Smith rumbled 68 yards for a touchdown using a key block from B.J. Ducre that allowed Smith to get the sideline. Morgan Craft’s extra point made it 7-0 with 8:27 left in the first quarter.

Laurel got a 25 yard field goal from John Gonzalez with 7:01 left in the second quarter.

After a missed field goal by Picayune, Damarius Magee intercepted a Laurel pass, but Picayune threw an interception two plays later. Amarion Tyson intercepted a Laurel pass to get it back for Picayune at its own 35 with :52 left.

On second down, Chris Davis went off right tackle for 41 yards to the Tornado 21. On the next snap, Brady Robertson connected on a perfect pass to Jessiah Contee for a touchdown (pictured left) and Craft’s point after sent the Maroon Tide to the half up 14-3.

Picayune extended to lead to 21-3 with :55 left in the third quarter on Donte Dowdell’s 2 yard touchdown run, his 20th touchdown of the season.

Laurel scored on Jeremy Porter’s 2 yard run with 7:46 left, but a two-point conversion failed.

'Quick' Chris Davis (6) takes off on a 41 yard run in the second quarter.

Morgan Craft booted a 28 yard field to make it 24-9 with 1:37 left.

Picayune amassed 296 yards rushing on 41 attempts. Dowdell had 114 yards on 22 carries, Smith finished with 10 carries for 103 yards, and Davis added 7 carries for 62 yards.

Tyson had two interceptions, Nathan Hickman had one, and Magee one to account for the four takeaways.

Picayune (12-0) will host West Jones on Friday. West Jones beat East Central 38-0 to advance.