Picayune was without starting quarterback Brady Roberts in the game, but in stepped sophomore back-up, Darnell Smith and he shined in his first start for the Maroon Tide. Smith ran for a pair of touchdowns from 56-yards and 32-yards out, and finished with 162 yards rushing in the win.
October 7, 2022: East Central Ben Myrick (1) runs for a big gain during the East Central versus Picayune game at Picayune, Mississippi. Photo: Bobby McDuffie/228 SportsOctober 7, 2022: Picayune head coach Cody Stogner looks on from the sideline during the East Central versus Picayune game at Picayune, Mississippi. Photo: Bobby McDuffie/228 SportsOctober 7, 2022: East Central Grey Bradley (5) is tackled by Picayune Amarion Tyson (29) during the East Central versus Picayune game at Picayune, Mississippi. Photo: Bobby McDuffie/228 SportsOctober 7, 2022: Picayune Darrell Smith (4) carries during the East Central versus Picayune game at Picayune, Mississippi. Photo: Bobby McDuffie/228 SportsOctober 7, 2022: Picayune Darrell Smith (4) is tackled near the goal line during the East Central versus Picayune game at Picayune, Mississippi. Photo: Bobby McDuffie/228 SportsOctober 7, 2022: East Central head coach Sam Huff during the East Central versus Picayune game at Picayune, Mississippi. Photo: Bobby McDuffie/228 Sports
Dante Dowdell also chipped in a 56-yard scoring scamper in the win for the Tide, and Chris Davis added a 12-yard touchdown run.
October 7, 2022: East Central Andrew Marble (2) keeps for a first down early in the first quarter during the East Central versus Picayune game at Picayune, Mississippi. Photo: Bobby McDuffie/228 SportsOctober 7, 2022: East Central Andrew Marble (2) fumbles and the ball is recovered by Picayune during the East Central versus Picayune game at Picayune, Mississippi. Photo: Bobby McDuffie/228 SportsOctober 7, 2022: Picayune Dante Dowdell (2) makes a short gain as he is tackled by East Central Carson Ryder (11) during the East Central versus Picayune game at Picayune, Mississippi. Photo: Bobby McDuffie/228 SportsOctober 7, 2022: Picayune Dante Dowdell (2) is met by several East Central defenders at the line during the East Central versus Picayune game at Picayune, Mississippi. Photo: Bobby McDuffie/228 SportsOctober 7, 2022: Picayune Darrell Smith (4) during the East Central versus Picayune game at Picayune, Mississippi. Photo: Bobby McDuffie/228 SportsOctober 7, 2022: Picayune Darrell Smith (4) on the quarterback keep during the East Central versus Picayune game at Picayune, Mississippi. Photo: Bobby McDuffie/228 SportsOctober 7, 2022: East Central Grey Bradley (5) scores a touchdown in the first quarter during the East Central versus Picayune game at Picayune, Mississippi. Photo: Bobby McDuffie/228 SportsOctober 7, 2022: East Central Grey Bradley (5) celebrates a touchdown reception during the East Central versus Picayune game at Picayune, Mississippi. Photo: Bobby McDuffie/228 Sports
East Central’s only touchdown came on a 35-yard scoring strike from quarterback Andrew Marble to Grey Bradley. Ben Myrick also added a 30-yard field goal in the second period, that at that point put ECHS up 10-7.
Bradley ran for 121 yards to pace the Hornets rushing attack.
October 7, 2022: Picayune Chris Davis (6) returns a kick during the East Central versus Picayune game at Picayune, Mississippi. Photo: Bobby McDuffie/228 SportsOctober 7, 2022: Picayune Chris Davis (6) is stopped by East Central Matthew Combs (15) during the East Central versus Picayune game at Picayune, Mississippi. Photo: Bobby McDuffie/228 SportsOctober 7, 2022: Picayune Dante Dowdell (2) tries the outside for a short gain during the East Central versus Picayune game at Picayune, Mississippi. Photo: Bobby McDuffie/228 SportsOctober 7, 2022: Picayune Dante Dowdell (2) runs up the middle of the line during the East Central versus Picayune game at Picayune, Mississippi. Photo: Bobby McDuffie/228 SportsOctober 7, 2022: East Central Andrew Marble (2) scrambles to get away from Picayune Jabari Mcwilliams (3) during the East Central versus Picayune game at Picayune, Mississippi. Photo: Bobby McDuffie/228 SportsOctober 7, 2022: East Central Andrew Marble (2) passes during the East Central versus Picayune game at Picayune, Mississippi. Photo: Bobby McDuffie/228 SportsOctober 7, 2022: East Central Ben Myrick (1) hits a 30 yard field goal in the second quarter during the East Central versus Picayune game at Picayune, Mississippi. Photo: Bobby McDuffie/228 SportsOctober 7, 2022: Picayune Chris Davis (6) is tackled by East Central River Felts (29) during the East Central versus Picayune game at Picayune, Mississippi. Photo: Bobby McDuffie/228 SportsOctober 7, 2022: Picayune Chris Davis (6) is tackled by East Central Jared Huff (25) during the East Central versus Picayune game at Picayune, Mississippi. Photo: Bobby McDuffie/228 SportsOctober 7, 2022: Picayune Chris Davis (6) handles punting duties during the East Central versus Picayune game at Picayune, Mississippi. Photo: Bobby McDuffie/228 SportsOctober 7, 2022: East Central Grey Bradley (5) is pulled down in the backfield by Picayune Nathan Hickman (22) during the East Central versus Picayune game at Picayune, Mississippi. Photo: Bobby McDuffie/228 Sports
In another Region 4-5A play Friday night, Vancleave beat homestanding George County 29-22 at Gill-Martin Stadium for the Rebels’ Homecoming. Bulldog standout senior tailback John Peterson ran for a pair of long touchdowns in the first half, one from 77-yards out and one from 52-yards out, as VHS bounced back from it’s only loss of the season to Picayune last week and moved to 6-1 overall and 2-1 in league play.
Vancleave also got a 3-yard touchdown jaunt from Hunter Harper and quarterback Hunter Parker tossed an 18-yard touchdown toss to Layton Eder.
George County sophomore quarterback Deuce Knight accounted for all three of the Rebels’ scores, as he scampered 56-yards for one touchdown and 26-yards for yet another and he also hit Brenn Moody on an 8-yard scoring pass.
The Rebels fall to 0-6 overall for the first time since 2012 and stand 0-3 in region play.
Elsewhere, Gautier quarterback Kaden Irving accounted for four touchdowns, throwing for two and running for a pair, and Dillion Alfred returned a kickoff for 75 yards and a touchdown as the Gators knocked off visiting West Harrison 48-19.
This moves the Gators to a perfect 3-0 in league play and the fifth straight win for Gautier moves the Gators to 5-1 overall.
Also, Pearl River Central beat Long Beach in a battle of previously winless teams.
In Class 4A, Pass Christian rallied to beat visiting Moss Point 21-20 dropping the Tigers to 0-7 for just the second time in 70 years but the first time since 2013.
Also, Stone beat Greene County 26-14 to take over first place in region 8-4A
In Class 1A, Resurrection fell to Bay Springs 48-7..
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Curtis Rockwell has almost three decades of experience at four different daily newspapers across South Mississippi, specializing in Sports and live music.
