By CURTIS ROCKWELL/Sports Director

PICAYUNE — The third battle in the past 13 months between perennial state power Picayune and Region 4-6A foe George County is the “Sonic of South Mississippi Big Game of the Week”.
The Maroon Tide hosts the Rebels for the second time in three weeks at Lee-Triplett Stadium but this time instead of facing off for a region title this time it’s a showdown in the Class 6A South State semifinals with a berth in the South State championship contest next week on the day after Thanksgiving.

These two teams will square off in the state playoffs for the first time in 22 years. The Maroon Tide come into the big battle on a 26-game win streak over region foes, including a 27-20 win over the same Rebels in the last meeting. That win secured the fourth straight league crown for head coach Cody Stogner’s crew, and GCHS eventually dropped to the three seed in the region.
This marks the 20 th all-time meeting on the football field between the two teams and Picayune has doubled up its advantage at 13-6 after that win earlier this year. Picayune has won five straight in this series dating back to that 2002 playoff encounter, which was a close 20-19 decision in Lucedale. The last win for the Rebels in Picayune came 25 years ago also in the state playoffs with a 38-35 win in 1999.

Last week, the renewal of the Picayune-Pearl River rivalry on the football field was just more of the same thing. The Maroon Tide won their eighth straight game against the Blue Devils in very easy fashion Friday night at Lee-Triplett Stadium 48-7 in the opening round of the Class 6A South State playoffs. The win moves Picayune, now 10-2 overall, as Picayune versatile two-way standout Triston Cooper made sure that the streak would continue over their neighbors from about seven miles up the road as he scored four first half touchdowns in guiding the Maroon Tide to a commanding 42-7 halftime lead, three on scoring runs and one on an interception return.

For GCHS, the drought is over. For the first time in 17 years, the George County High School football team won a playoff game last week.
The Rebels escaped with a 26-22 win over the defending Class 6A state champion Friday night in the opening round of the Class 6A South State playoffs.
George County senior standout signal-caller Deuce Knight accounted for all four Rebel touchdowns, as he recorded a pair of scoring runs as well as two touchdown tosses including the eventual game-winner to wide out D. J. McNair from 55-yards out with just over two minutes to play.

Sonic Drive In has been a longtime supporter of prep student/athletes in the “Southern Six” and all across the Southeast. Make sure and stop by the Sonic Drive Inn in Picayune at 3001 Highway 11 North for all of your pre-game or post game meals.