SOUTH MISS 6 SPORTS

Prep Football: Maroon Tide starts region play off at 2-0 for the 26th straight season

A high school football player in a white jersey labeled 'Picayune' throws a football while being pressured by a player in a red jersey. The scene captures the intensity of a nighttime game with spectators in the background.
Picayune quarterback Gabe Brewer drops back to pass as Hancock defender Wyatt Coleman provides pressure Friday night. (Photo by Steve Coleman)

By Curtis Rockwell/Sports Director

KILN — For the 26th straight season, Picayune has started off region play at 2-0.

The Maroon Tide rolled over home-standing Hancock 56-27 Friday night in a game that wasn’t as close as the final score would indicate here at Brett Favre Field. The win pushes Picayune to 4-3 overall, and 2-0 in Region 4-6A action as the Maroon Tide aim for their sixth straight league title as well as their 14th in the past 25 years.

A football player in gray uniform dodges an approaching defender in red during a night game on a bright green turf field.
Picayune running back Xavier Dennis breaks into open space as Hancock defender Landon Zamora pursues Friday night. (Photo by Steve Coleman)
A football player in a white jersey with maroon accents, number 4, celebrates with a leap after scoring, while teammates and opponents watch in the background.
Picayune running back Javion Mason reacts after his scoring run vs. Hancock Friday night. (Photo by Steve Coleman)
A football player in a white uniform evades a defender in a red uniform while carrying the ball during a game.
Picayune running back Xavier Dennis looks for some running room as Hancock defender Wyatt Coleman closes in Friday night. (Photo by Steve Coleman)

The Maroon Tide got three rushing touchdowns from both senior standout tailback Xavier Dennis and his more than capable back-up Javion Mason in the decisive win, which stretched its winning streak to seven straight over the Hawks dating back to the 2002 season.

It also marked the third win for Picayune over Hancock in the past year. The Maroon Tide jumped out to a commanding 28-7 halftime lead and then extended that advantage to 35-7 early in the second half.

A high school football game scene showing players in action, with a player in red attempting to evade a tackle from a player in white.
Picayune defender A.K. Bornette holds on as Hancock quarterback Justin Wedgeworth get held up Friday night. (Photo by Steve Coleman)
A football player in a maroon and gray uniform running with the ball during a night game, narrowly avoiding tackles from opposing players on the ground.
Picayune running back Xavier Dennis breaks into open space vs. Hancock Friday night. (Photo by Steve Coleman)
A football player in a red jersey with the number 2 is preparing to pass the ball while another player in a gray and red jersey is blocking for him.
Hancock quarterback Justin Wedgeworth looks for an open target vs. Picayune Friday night. (Photo by Steve Coleman)

“Our goal is always to go 1-0 each week, and we played with a lot of heart, intensity and desire tonight,” Maroon Tide seventh year head coach Cody Stogner said. “I’m extremely proud of how we came out and made a statement in all three aspects of the game. The guys worked extremely hard during the week, and it paid off.”

Dennis gave the visitors a lead they would never relinquish with a 10-yard scoring dash to cap off picayune’s opening drive of the game.

A 14-yard touchdown jaunt by Mason later in the period made made it 14-0 entering the second stanza.

A football player wearing a white jersey with the number 9 is running with the ball, while players in gray and red uniforms are engaged in a tackle during a night game.
Picayune running back Xavier Dennis picks up a gain vs. Hancock Friday night. (Photo by Steve Coleman)
A high school football player in a red jersey and helmet throws a pass while being tackled by an opponent. The scene is set at a night game with spectators in the background.
Hancock quarterback Justin Wedgeworth gets tangled up with Picayune defender Kelvin Stallings Friday night. (Photo by Steve Coleman)
A high school football player in a red jersey with the number 3 is running with the ball while being pursued by opposing players in gray uniforms. The scene is set on a well-lit field during a night game.
Hancock running back Meja Talley looks for some running room as Hawks lineman Manny. Balderrama blocks vs. Picayune Friday night. (Photo by Steve Coleman)

Hancock’s only meaningful drive of the night was next, as quarterback Justin Wedgeworth kept it from 2-yards out to cut the deficit in half at 14-7.

But, by the times the Hawks cracked the scoreboard again things had been decided.

That’s because Picayune ended the half with. two more touchdowns from Dennis, one on a 7-yard scoring run and another on a nifty 76-yard scoring strike from quarterback Gabe Brewer on the final play before intermission to make it 28-7.

As the third quarter began, Picayune running back Kendall Jett touched down in the end zone with a 4-yard run and the deal was all but sealed at 35-7 just four minutes into the second half.

A football player in a red jersey is being tackled by a defender in a white and maroon uniform during a game, with other players in the background.
Hancock running back Meja Talley gets stretched out by Picayune defender Kelvin Stallings Friday night. (Photo by Steve Coleman)
A high school football player in a red jersey is being tackled by two defenders in gray uniforms on a turf field during a night game.
Hancock quarterback Justin Wedgeworth gets tangled up with Picayune defender Demario Hodges Friday night. (Photo by Steve Coleman)
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