The Maroon Tide’s season came to an end Friday when the War Eagles took home the win in a hard fought battle in the second round of the 5A playoffs.
“I thought we fought hard, we got a little out-classed I think,” said Picayune Head Coach Dodd Lee after the game. “I think the better football team won.”
Picayune lost to Wayne County 42-7, which was the only time this season they didn’t score more than one touchdown.
Wayne County started strong Friday, scoring their first two touchdowns in the first quarter, and ending the half 14-0 against the Tide.
Wayne County’s first touchdown of the night came when War Eagles running back Freddy Jordan Jr. carried the ball four yards for a touchdown with 6:33 left to play in the first.
The Tide would then turn the ball over on downs in their subsequent possession, an opportunity the War Eagles would capitalize on to score again in only four plays when quarterback David Hodo completed a pass to wide receiver Dashon Philon. The 15-yard touchdown pass occurred with 3:20 left in the first quarter.
The remainder of the first half was a battle of defensive plays that kept both teams from scoring. However, it seemed the Tide would put points on the board before halftime when a 12 play drive beginning at the Tide’s 35 yard line brought the ball within striking distance. But the drive ended in an interception caught by War Eagles defensive back Roy Arrington inside the five yard line.
After halftime the Tide scored during their first possession after quarterback Devin Hedgepeth completed a pass to Zacherie Jordan from the Tide’s 39-yard line. Jordan then brought the ball all the way to the one-yard line, setting them up for a scoring play two downs later when a fumble in the end zone was recovered by running back Kardarius Cross with 7:39 left in the third.
The successful extra point attempt brought the score to 14-7, War Eagles.
The remainder of the game was dominated by Wayne County. With 5:37 left in the third quarter running back Darnell Cameron carried the ball 30 yards to the end zone, bringing the score to 21-7.
A Maroon Tide turnover on downs would put the ball back in War Eagles possession. They scored again seven plays later when Hodo completed a pass to Reggie Stewart for a nine-yard touchdown with 37 seconds left in the third, bringing the score to 28-7.
In the fourth quarter, running back Chris Cooley carried the ball 30 yards for a touchdown with 8:56 left in the game. The successful extra point attempt brought the score to 35-7.
The final score of the game came when Cooley carried the ball to the end zone from the six yard line with 2:46 left in the game. The final score was 42-7.
In spite of the loss the Tide had a successful season, ending 10-2. Last season the team brought home the state championship.
“I’m proud of our seniors, they won a lot of football games here.”