QUITMAN —
Poplarville's return to the Class 4A South State playoffs didn't last long.
The Hornets traveled to Quitman Friday night with an upset in their mind but it just wasn't meant to be as the powerful Panthers beat the Hornets 54-20.
The Hornets (4-7) stuck it to the Panthers a few times in the first half and stayed within striking distance. But, the third quarter spelled doom for Poplarville.
Jiquan James carried the ball 15 times for 170 yards and broke the 1,000-yard barrier. His effort pushed him to 1,130 yards on the season and gave the Hornets three 1,000-yard rushers in the backfield. Rojae Raine entered the game with 1,070 yards and Malik Lucas had tallied 1,122 yards prior to the playoff game.
A quick three-and-out gave Quitman the ball at the Hornet 28 after a big punt return.
It took Quitman just three plays to score as DeQuan Stanley rushed in from two yards out with 7:08 left in the first quarter. Dalton Smith made the score 7-0 with the PAT.
Again the Hornets were unable to convert on fourth down and turned the ball over.
Quitman found the end zone five plays later when Toriano Howard scored from two yards out. With 3:08 left in the quarter. Smith's PAT pushed the score to 14-0.
The Hornets put together a methodical 11-play drive as James and Malik Lucas shared responsibilities carrying the football. Lucas had four carries for 30 yards on the drive. Only the drive stalled on an interception.
Quitman took over at their own 29 yardline and three plays later made the score 21-0 with Franklin Jones' 66-yard run and Smith's PAT.
The Hornets broke the scoring drought on the ensuing possession. Rojae Raine returned the kick to the Panther 25 yardline and Drake Hodges found Raine for a nine-yard scoring aerial with 5:22 left in the first half. The PAT was no good leaving the score 21-7,
But, the Pathers needed just one play to score as Josh Davis ripped off a 40-yard run to push the score to 28-6 after Smith's PAT. Davis ended the game with 12 carries and 217 total yards.
The Hornets end the season at 4-7. Quitman advances to the second round and will play the winner of Columbia/Magee.
Sports
Poplarville falls in playoff opener
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Saints ready to practice with Payton again
Even as Sean Payton tried to make the best of his one-season bounty banishment from the NFL by spending time with his children, getting in shape and playing golf, he often compared his punishment to prison time.
He missed his work that much, his players say, adding that his return has infused Saints headquarters with a fresh intensity leading up to Tuesday’s opening of voluntary offseason practices. -
Wildcats honored for efforts
Ten Pearl River Community College baseball standouts have earned 2013 post-season honors with center fielder Braxton Lee and catcher-designated hitter Krisjon Wilkerson leading the way with All-Region 23 and All-MACJC first- team accolades.
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Season ends for Maroon Tide
Picayune’s magical playoff run came up just short of a spot in the state finals.
Homestanding Pascagoula, the defending Class 5A state champs, took a hard-fought 5-3 win over the Maroon Tidee in game three of the best of three South State finals here Saturday before a capacity crowd at Ingalls Field. -
Season ends for Maroon Tide
The season came to an end for the Picayune baseball team Saturday afternoon with a 5-3 loss to homestanding Pascagoula here at Ingalls Field in the third and deciding game of the Class 5A South State championship series.
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Tide stays alive
And it all comes down to this.
Picayune and Pascagoula will face off in a one game, winner take all
showdown today at 2 p.m., at Ingalls Field for the Class A South State
prep baseball championship and the right to play for the state title. -
Wildcats tring to win Region 23 title
Host Pearl River opened Region 23 Tournament play in dominating fashion here Thursday in Wildcat Stadium, demolishing top-seeded East Central 12-1 in eight innings and now faces second-seeded LSU-Eunice (La.) in Friday’s second round at 7 p.m.
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Panther pitcher shuts out Maroon Tide
Pascagoula’s Andrew Crane continued his dominance of Picayune Thursday night.
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Season ends for Lady Hornets
Poplarville's season came to and end in the Class 4A South state finals Tuesday night.
The visiting Lady Hornets fell to Newton County 10-2 in game two of the best-of-three series. -
Lady Hornets face Newton County
Two more wins, and Poplarville will be playing for the Class 4A state championship in fast-pitch softball.
The Lady Hornets have a chance at getting that first victory today. -
Polderman’s, Mitchell win titles
The Picayune Maroon Tide and the Pearl River Central Blue Devils both competed in the Class 5A South State track and field championships this past Saturday at Long Beach High School.
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