By CURTIS ROCKWELL/Sports Director

PICAYUNE — Picayune most recently enjoyed its most successful three year stretch in Maroon Tide football history capturing back-to-back Class 5A state championships in the process.
But suddenly, just four weeks into the current campaign, the Maroon Tide seems very vulnerable.
Gulfport sailed into to Lee-Triplett Stadium Friday night and dealt a 41-21 loss to Picayune in the renewal of that all “Southern Six” rivalry as Picayune and Gulfport met for the 10th consecutive season and for the 11th time since the beginning of the 2011 season in which the Maroon Tide went on to win the state championship and then capture three more over the next 11 years.

The win for the Admirals was the first over the Maroon Tide since 2018, as Picayune came in on a five game win streak over Gulfport. Picayune had also won seven out of the past eight meetings dating back to 2015.
Gulfport moved to 3-1 with the win, as the Admirals registered over 600 yards of total offense thanks in part to the running back combination of Cooper Crosby and Dakoreyon Payton that accounted for 425 yards rushing. Crosby rushed for 243 yards and three touchdowns, including a 92-yard scoring scamper, and Payton added 173 yards and two scores as well.

Admiral quarterback Dane Sullivan continued to impress this season as he completed 16-of-23 passes for 178 yards and one scoring pass to Tre’von Deans.
The highlight of the night for Picayune was a 68-yard kickoff return for a touchdown by running back Darrell Smith. He also scored on a three-yard run, as the Maroon Tide dropped to 2-2 on the season which is their worst start to a campaign since 2015 when they started 1-3.
In fact, in its last five games Picayune is just 2-3 and has allowed 162 points including 120 points at home this season so far.

Resurrection 40, Richton 14
Visting Resurrection won its first game of the season with a 40-14 win over Mt. Olive Friday night.
Eighth-grade quarterback Cortez King threw for 200 yards and two touchdowns in the winning effort and he ran for yet another score. Jase Walker added a pair of short scoring runs for the Eagles, and Joseph Foster returned an interception for a pick six for a touchdown as well.

Resurrection is now 1-3 on the season.

Stone 28, St. Martin 15
Stone also picked up its first win of the season Friday night with a 28-15 win over homestanding St. Martin.
Tomcat running back Jayden Collins scored on a 69-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter to seal the win and Stone moved to 1-2 on the year.

St. Martin, which dropped to 2-2 overall and lost its first home game in three games this season, got two touchdowns from quarterback Kevin Marshall as he ran for one score and threw for another to Monclair Brave.