The last regular season game for Pearl River Central and Picayune Memorial High School was their annual rivalry showdown.
While the first quarter showed promise as a nail biter, the game got away from the Devils early, and they never recovered.
The Tide scored the first touchdown of the game on their second play when Josh Littles carried the ball for about 70 yards, only 48 seconds into the game. PRC’s Blue Devils tied the score on their subsequent possession with 8:14 left to play when Wyatt Davis completed a short pass to Diante Lenoir, who carried the ball the rest of the way to the end zone. That would be the only time a Devils player would reach the end zone Friday night.
When it was all said and done, the game ended 49-7, in the Maroon Tide’s favor.
The win puts the Tide 9-1 overall and 5-1 in district play. The Devils ended the season 4-7 overall and 2-5 in district.
“Picayune’s got a great team, they played like they were supposed to,” said Devils Head Coach Larry Dolan.
The game was a series of Tide touchdowns spread throughout. In all, Littles had four touchdowns, two in the first quarter, one in the second and one in the third. Blake Merrifield had two touchdowns in the first quarter and quarterback Skylar Bowman carried one in in the fourth.
The Tide have secured a spot in the playoffs, while the season comes to a close for the Devils.
As they head into next week, Lee said he is looking for one thing.
“We’re looking for perfection, but I know we’re not going to get it. We line up wrong; we jump off sides,” Lee said.
Currently, the Tide has a relatively young team, consisting of mostly sophomores and juniors, Lee said.
As for the team’s chances to bring home the state championship title. Lee said their chances are, “as good as anybody else’s.”
Overall, Dolan said he is proud of his team and has plans for them next year.
“It may take a year or two to get this thing going again,” he said.