A little over five months ago, Picayune captured its second Class 5A state football championship in three seasons with a thrilling 42-35 comeback win over Oxford.

On Friday night, the Maroon Tide will return to the gridiron in a game type situation for the first time since that historic win.

Picayune will host both Poplarville and Perry Central in a jamboree that will wrap up spring training drills for all three teams. The squads will participate in both junior varsity and varsity action, beginning around 5 P.m.

“It will give us a chance to see how much progress we’ve made in the spring,” veteran Maroon Tide mentor Dodd Lee said. “Poplarville has some really good athletes, and I think Perry Central will be competitive as well. It should be good for everyone.”

Tickets are $5 apiece, and all fans attending must enter through the home side gate.

The varsity action will start after the J.V. Teams finish up. Poplarville will face Perry Central first, then Picayune will meet the Bulldogs. The Maroon Tide and Hornets will finish up the evening against one another.

The format will consist of 10-play, alternating series.

Almost all of the prep football teams across South Mississippi will compete in scrimmages either tonight or Friday to wrap up spring training drills.

Pearl River Central travels to Hurley tonight to face homestanding East Central as well as Murphy High out of Mobile in Shirley Stadium.

Elsewhere on Friday night, Ocean Springs will host Mobile Baker, with junior varsity at 5 p.m. followed by varsity play.

D’Iberville, whom Picayune will play this upcoming season, will host a three-team jamboree at Warrior Stadium on Friday. D’Iberville, Vancleave and Forrest County will be competing. Junior varsity starts at 5 p.m., with varsity action beginning at6:15 p.m.

“We’ve got five defensive starters returning and three on offense,’’ Warriors coach Buddy Singleton, whose team will host the Maroon Tide on Friday, Sept 5th, said. “We have some good young guys coming up and we have some good speed.’’

Harrison Central will host a four-team jamboree Friday at 4 p.m., involving Harrison Central, George County, Gautier and St. Martin. After junior varsity action at 4 p.m., the varsity schedule is Harrison Central-Gautier at 5:15, St. Martin-George County at 6:15, St. Martin-Gautier at 7:15 and Harrison Central-George County at 8:15 p.m.

Gautier, St. Martin and George County are all at Harrison Central beginning at 5 p.m. Thursday. Each team will play two halves.

Gautier and George County are also members of Region 4-5A, of which Picayune is also a member of.