Although the Picayune Memorial High School’s Maroon Tide fell in double overtime to a talented Stone County team last week, its eyes are still set on the bigger picture heading into the final three-game stretch of the season, taking on a cold Long Beach opponent.

The Long Beach Bearcats have lost the past four games, all of which were district clashes. Throughout that sweep, they managed to put 80 total points on the board, but compromised 176 points in the process.

Unfortunately, the Bearcats face a Maroon Tide team feeling its back against the wall after a hard-fought loss.

During last week’s game, Picayune’s leader in rushing and total scrimmage yards sat out the second half with an apparent knee injury. After the game, Maroon Tide Head Football Coach Dodd Lee shed some light on the situation.

“I don’t know exactly what was bothering him, but I know it is his knee,” he said. “But we did not see any swelling so it shouldn’t be too serious.”

If Picayune is to be without Littles in Friday’s district game against Long Beach, the backfield will include Shaun Anderson and David Baker. Also, fullback Blake Merrifield will continue in the backfield.

Even though he was sidelined by an injury at halftime, Littles managed to run for 134 yards and kept his scoring streak alive after scoring a solo touchdown. Anderson and Baker racked up a total of 182 rushing yards and one touchdown in Littles’ absence.

Although it doesn’t seem like Littles will be out for Friday’s game, in the event that does occur, the change of pace and versatility of Anderson and Baker could serve just as well for the Maroon Tide. Last week, Baker made several clutch conversions to keep scoring drives alive and his team in the game. Anderson also attributed to athletic plays on both sides of the ball, including an interception in the last few seconds of the game to send it into overtime.

Lee said after Friday’s game that he did not know if there was anything to gain from the loss, but said “We are going to work hard to make sure it doesn’t happen again.”

Picayune is tied in the 5A Region District with Stone, Pascagoula and Hattiesburg high schools, with a 3-1 record while Long Beach and West Harrison are tied for last place with 0-4 records.

The battle will be held in Long Beach with kick off at 7 p.m. on Friday.