By MAURICE SINGLETON/Sports Writer

KILN — The Picayune Maroon Tide, 9-2 (5-0, region) closed out the regular season with a 35-17 win over Hancock, 3-8 (2-3, region)non Thursday.

The win extended head coach Cody Stogner’s crew to a school record 24 straight region wins.

The Maroon Tide were challenged early, but they scored on each of the first three possessions including a touchdown run from 9-yards out by Triston Cooper to cap their opening drive. Hancock missed a 34-yard field goal on their initial possession before tying things up at 7-7.

On their ensuing possession the Maroon Tide would go 51 yards on four snaps with Triston Cooper carrying three times for runs of 27, 3 and 6 yards. Xavier Dennis would carry for 17 yards and the score to take a 14-7 lead.

The Maroon Tide would not surrender the lead. They capitalized on a Hancock fumble on their next possession, and from the Hancock 41-yard line, the Maroon Tide took 9 plays to extend their lead to 21-7. And this time Jordan Hathorne joined Cooper in the backfield, carrying twice for runs of 14 and 13 yards. Cooper carried five times on the drive for runs of 11, 5, 1, and 2 yards.

Broderick Ducre carried from 2 yards out for the touchdown to put the Maroon Tide up 21-7 midway through the second quarter.

Hancock would stop the Maroon Tide on their opening drive of the second half, denying the visitors a first down and forcing a punt. Hancock would field the punt at their own 10-yard line. They would take the ball down field, sparked by Kaison Koenenn keepers of 24 and 30 yards. Kicker Sam Powell would close the drive with a 25-yard field goal to close the scoring gap at 21-10.

The Maroon Tide responded by first recovering the Hawks onside kick attempt. Starting at their own 45-yardline, Cooper got the Maroon Tide going with a 35-yard carry on first down. Two snaps later he carried for 9 yards to the 11-yard line. And on the fifth snap he carried it in for the score and a 28-10 lead.

“We got the win and that’s a good thing,” said Stogner. “I don’t think we played a complete game. Blocking and tackling was sloppy most of the time. We did some good things too, but we got get better on Monday, because now it’s do-or-die week.”

Hancock reduced the three-score lead on their ensuing possession with a 67-yard Alexander Vincent burst through the line of scrimmage for a score as the third quarter clock expired.

The Hawks attempted their fourth onside kick following the score, and initially it appeared they had recovered it, but after a 10-minute officials huddle, there was a decision to have the Hawks kick again.

Hancock got another glimmer of hope as Picayune fumbled and the Hawks recovered in Picayune territory at the 34-yardline. But the Hawks were unsuccessful, suffering sacks on consecutive snaps and the ball went back to the Maroon Tide after the Hawks failed on a fourth-and-27 conversion attempt.

The Maroon Tide would add an insurance score with just under four minutes remaining on the game clock.

“I’m proud of the effort,” said Hancock coach Neil Lollar. “Unfortunately, the scoreboard is going to dictate what this night may be remembered as.”

Hancock travels to Hattiesburg for a first-round playoff game next Friday night. Picayune will have a home playoff game against Pearl River Central.