By CURTIS ROCKWELL

Item Sports Editor

One of the biggest questions concerning Picayune’s football team coming into this season was who would replace all-star standout running back Albert Richard, a two time Region 8-4A Most Valuable Player who ran for over 3,300 yards and scored over 50 touchdowns in two years toting the football.

But sophomore tailback Jamal Hall was quick to provide an answer to that query.

Hall, in just his first action with the Maroon Tide, ran for 1,230 yards and scored 19 touchdowns this season, after coming into the year as the Tide’s third team tailback.

Jones now has a chance to become perhaps the first Picayune player ever to run for over 1,000 yards three straight seasons, if he can reproduce his fine start over his junior and senior seasons.

“I think he can be better, now that he has gotten a taste of what he can do,” Picayune head coach Dodd Lee said. “He was one of the guys that stepped up in a spot where we had to have some production. He did a good job.”

Hall led a Picayune rushing attack that acconted for over 3,200 yards rushing in 12 games. Junior Jarrod Jones, who Hall split time with in the back field along with T’Daryl Grays, also ran for over 600 yards while Grays and fullback Gabe Hinojosa added over 400 yards apiece.

Picayune averaged just over 400 yards total offense per game. Also, the Maroon Tide scored a tocuhdown on their first possession in all 12 games this season.

In addition, junior quarterback Jacob Kennedy, in his first varsity season as a starter, threw for just over 1,500 yards and 18 touchdowns, giving the Tide over 4,800 yards to total offense on the season. Picayune averaged almost 40 points per game in going 9-3.

Hall, Kennedy, Jones and leading reciever Jonathan Moore all return next season.