PICAYUNE —
Picayune is attempting to finish unbeaten in the regular season for the third time in the past 11 seasons tonight.
The nationally-ranked Maroon Tide hosts West Harrison at 7 p.m., and a win would move head coach Dodd Lee’s crew to 10-0 on the year entering the state playoffs. Picayune has won 16 straight games, which is the longest winning streak in the MHSAA at this point.
The Maroon Tide finished the regular season 10-0 in both 2001 and 2006.
Picayune, the consensus number one team in the state of Mississippi, has already assured itself of the Region 4-5A championship for the second straight season and will host a first round South State playoff game next week.
West Harrison is limping home at 0-9 on the season coming into tonight’s game.
The Hurricanes are led by senior quarterback/cornerback John Dunning, who has started behind center for three straight years.
West Harrison’s closest games of the season were a 6-0 loss to Stone County in week three and a 25-24 loss to East Central last week.
Picayune is coming off an 84-19 win over Long Beach, a team that beat West Harrison 35-24 two weeks ago.
“We need to continue to play well and not have a let down before we go into the playoffs,” veteran Maroon Tide head coach Dodd Lee said. “West Harrison hasn’t had much success this year, so they will be looking for a win.”
Picayune quarterback Ben Hickman has thrown for seven touchdowns and just one interception this season, and he has also ran for three scores.
Maroon Tide tailback Doug Cross could eclipse the magical 1,000 yard milestone this week, as he had run for just over 900 yards on the year. He has also scored 11 times on the ground, as has fellow backfield mates Preston Dedeaux and Desmond Taylor.
Defensively, safety Tony Washington has forced three fumbles and linebacker Sam Hickman has forced several fumbles as well.
Picayune moved up from 24th to 22nd this week in the USA today Super 25 Poll.
The Maroon Tide will either host Brookhaven or McComb to open the Class 5A South State playoffs next week.
Sports
Maroon Tide hosting Hurricanes
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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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