Picayune stretched its statewide best win streak to 27 consecutive games Friday night.
The defending two-time Class 5A state champion Maroon Tide played its first-ever game as a member of Class 6A against one of the former perennial state powers in that classification home-standing Brandon and Picayune pulled out a 28-21 road win.
Dandy Dozen tailback Chris Davis was outstanding as the Maroon Tide tailback as he ran roughshod over the Bulldogs defense for 244 yards and three touchdowns on 44 carries in the win.
Picayune hasn’t lost a game in almost two years.
Vancleave 44, St. Martin 7
The home-standing Bulldogs rolled out to a commanding 36-0 lead at halftime and destroyed the Yellow Jackets 42-7 Friday night in the season-opener for both teams.
Running back Kyle Capers scored a game-high three touchdowns for the Bulldogs, all in the first half, while quarterback Hunter Parker and running back Derik Forehand also each added scoring runs in the first half for VHS.
Freshman running back Jaylen Johnson ran for right at 100 yards and scored the last touchdown of the game for VHS, and the stout Bulldog defense limited St. Martin to less than 30 yards of total offense.
The Yellow Jackets were without the services of quarterback Noreel White.
Madison Central 15, Ocean Springs 14
For the second straight contest, Ocean Springs lost on a field goal on the last play of the game to a team from the Jackson area.
Madison Central’s Jack Richardson booted a 20-yard field goal a time expired to lead home-standing Madison Central over the Greyhounds 15-14 Friday night.
Ocean Springs led throughout most of the game in new head coach Jake Bramlett’s first game at the helm, but Richardson’s late kick was reminiscent of the end of last season when Brandon nipped OSHS 31-28 at the final buzzer in the Class 6A South state championship game.
It marked the first season-opening loss for OSHS in four years. Junior tailback Will Smith scored both Greyhound touchdowns, the first on a 36-yard scoring scamper in the first half and the second on an 11-yard touchdown toss from William Berglind in the second half.
Hancock 42, Natchez 20
Hancock hit the road and wasted no time upon arriving in Natchez in jumping all over the Bulldogs.
The Hawks rolled up a 36-6 halftime advantage and cruised to the win over NHS. Senior tailback Zach Gullung ran for over 180 yards and two touchdowns and also hauled in a 16-yard scoring strike from quarterback Dylan Moran. Moran threw for 212 yards and four touchdowns in the big win for HHS.
Harrison Central 21, Ridgeland 12
Last season, Harrison Central had its streak of three straight wins to open the season snapped at three. But Friday night, the Red Rebels were right back on the right track.
The Red Rebels knocked of the visiting Titans at Earl Phillips stadium in Lyman by nine points after leading throughout the contest. HCHS quarterback Tri Gaughf threw for 275 yards and accounted for three touchdowns overall in the win. He tossed a pair of scoring strikes, including one to his while favorite target Tyree Barnett who pulled down three catches for 115 yards and the touchdown.
St. Stanislaus 31, Forrest County AHS 6
The homestanding Rocks kicked off the Tim Lala era in fine fashion Friday night with a 25-point thumping of the Aggies. New quarterback Ian Gonzalez Rios ran for just over 190 yards and four touchdowns in his first game for SSC.
Columbia 40, D’Iberville 17
Visiting Columbia ran roughshod over D’Iberville in the season opener for both teams Friday night.
The Wildcats jumped out to a quick 20-0 lead and never looked back. The Warriors got a scoring run from Andre Crosby from 5-yards out and a 66-yard scoring strike from Conner Jones to Kelian Stepter in the loss. Jackson Callegari converted a 26-yard field goal for DHS as well.
OTHER SCORES:
West Harrison 41, Greene County 40
South Pike 31, Pearl River Central 6
Jefferson Davis County 32, Poplarville 14
