For the third straight week, Picayune jumped out to a commanding lead and never looked back.

The Maroon Tide scored the first four times they had the ball and cruised to a 56-14 win over visiting Long Beach to celebrate Homecoming Friday night.

The win moves fourth ranked Picayune to 8-1 overall on the season and 5-0 in league play, and sets up the highly anticipated match-up between the Maroon Tide and unbeaten and third ranked.D’Iberville Friday in Harrison County for the Region 8-4A title.

“We ran our offense pretty well and got off to a good start,” Picayune head coach Dodd Lee said. “When you can jump ahead they way we have been able to the last few weeks it puts you in a good position.”

With the win, Picayune is averaging over 42 points per game and Maroon Tide standout Reggie Bailey said after last week’s shutout win over Bay High that one key to the Picayune offensive success was that they spread the ball around and don’t rely on one player.

The Maroon Tide proved that by getting one touchdown apiece from four different players in the first half to jump out to a quick 28-0 lead.

T’Daryl Grays put Picayune ahead to stay early in the game with a 1-yard scoring run.

Fullback Gab Hinojosa then made it 14-0 with a sparkling 70 yard scoring burst.

On the next possession, Jamal Hall had a 1-yard scoring plunge and it was 21-0 with just seconds left in the first period.

Picayune’s Cedric Brown blocked the next Bearcat punt and Bailey quickly made the Bearcats pay as he scored on a 30-yard run on the next play.

Picayune led 28-7 at halftime, and as the second half unfolded Hall scored from 55 yards out with 8:45 left in the third quarter for a 35-7 lead.

Maroon Tide quarterback Jacob Kennedy then got in on the scoring cycle, as he tossed his 14th and 15th scoring strikes of the season.

Kennedy hit Grays on a 26 yard touchdown toss and then hooked up with Chris Nixon on a 50 yard scoring pass to make it 49-7..

Matt Archer scored the Maroon Tide’s last touchdown on a 35 yard run with 2:11 left in the game.

Nick Riso booted the first four extra points for Picayune and Matt Dragon added the final four boots.

“I think we came out of the game pretty healthy,” Lee added. “When you can get a win and not get anybody hurt that’s good also.”

Long Beach fell to 0-7 with the loss and 0-5 in league play.

The Maroon Tide now looks toward the Warriors.

“It should be a good game I hope,” Lee concluded. “I know people have been talking about it for most of the season, so there should be a good crowd.”