September 30, 2022: Picayune Chris Davis (6) drives into the end zone for a Maroon Tide touchdown in the second quarter during the Picayune versus Vancleave game at Vancleave, Mississippi. Photo: Bobby McDuffie/228 Sports
Visiting Picayune thumped Vancleave 49-7 in the 228 Sports Game of the Week Friday night.
The Maroon Tide got three scoring scampers from standout tailback Dante Dowdell, the Oregon commit, including one from 97 yards out. Picayune led just 7-0 after the first quarter but rolled on to a 28-0 halftime advantage.
September 30, 2022: Picayune Dante Dowdell (2) carries the ball during the Picayune versus Vancleave game at Vancleave, Mississippi. Photo: Bobby McDuffie/228 SportsSeptember 30, 2022: Vancleave head coach Kevin Fant on the sidelines during the Picayune versus Vancleave game at Vancleave, Mississippi. Photo: Bobby McDuffie/228 SportsSeptember 30, 2022: Vancleave John Peterson (1)is stopped by Picayune Amarion Tyson (29) during the Picayune versus Vancleave game at Vancleave, Mississippi. Photo: Bobby McDuffie/228 SportsSeptember 30, 2022: Vancleave John Peterson (1) carries around the end for short yardage during the Picayune versus Vancleave game at Vancleave, Mississippi. Photo: Bobby McDuffie/228 SportsSeptember 30, 2022: Vancleave John Peterson (1) runs the ball during the Picayune versus Vancleave game at Vancleave, Mississippi. Photo: Bobby McDuffie/228 SportsSeptember 30, 2022: Picayune Dante Dowdell (2) during the Picayune versus Vancleave game at Vancleave, Mississippi. Photo: Bobby McDuffie/228 SportsSeptember 30, 2022: Vancleave Hasten Flynt (64) and Hayden Savage (14) celebrate a fumble recovery during the Picayune versus Vancleave game at Vancleave, Mississippi. Photo: Bobby McDuffie/228 SportsSeptember 30, 2022: Looking down the line of scrimmage during the Picayune versus Vancleave game at Vancleave, Mississippi. Photo: Bobby McDuffie/228 SportsSeptember 30, 2022: Vancleave Hunter Parker (2) pitches out during the Picayune versus Vancleave game at Vancleave, Mississippi. Photo: Bobby McDuffie/228 Sports
Then, early in the third frame, any thoughts of a Bulldog comeback were quickly dashed when Picayune’s Robert Williams forced a Vancleave fumble and Maroon Tide defensive end Jamonta Waller scooped it up and sprinted 18 yards for a touchdown to make it 35-0.
The win moved the defending Class 5A state champion Maroon Tide to 6-0 on the season and 2-0 in Region 4-5A play, while Vancleave suffered its first loss of the season and dropped to 4-1 overall and 1-1 in the loop.
September 30, 2022: Picayune Chris Davis (6) drives into the end zone for a Maroon Tide touchdown in the second quarter during the Picayune versus Vancleave game at Vancleave, Mississippi. Photo: Bobby McDuffie/228 SportsSeptember 30, 2022: Vancleave Hunter Parker (2) looks for an open receiver downfield during the Picayune versus Vancleave game at Vancleave, Mississippi. Photo: Bobby McDuffie/228 SportsSeptember 30, 2022: Vancleave Asher Henley (5) punts the ball away during the Picayune versus Vancleave game at Vancleave, Mississippi. Photo: Bobby McDuffie/228 SportsSeptember 30, 2022: Vancleave Hunter Parker (2) throws toward the sideline during the Picayune versus Vancleave game at Vancleave, Mississippi. Photo: Bobby McDuffie/228 SportsSeptember 30, 2022: Picayune Darrell Smith (4) runs the ball during the Picayune versus Vancleave game at Vancleave, Mississippi. Photo: Bobby McDuffie/228 SportsSeptember 30, 2022: Picayune Dante Dowdell (2) runs toward the end zone as Vancleave Martin Shaw (29) tries to cut him off during the Picayune versus Vancleave game at Vancleave, Mississippi. Photo: Bobby McDuffie/228 SportsSeptember 30, 2022: Vancleave Hunter Parker (2) punts the ball during the Picayune versus Vancleave game at Vancleave, Mississippi. Photo: Bobby McDuffie/228 Sports
Elsewhere, East Central remained unbeaten with a 47-12 win over Pearl River Central, while Pascagoula fell to Gulfport 48-24 and West Harrison beat George County 50-49 in overtime.
Also, Ocean Springs moved to 5-0 overall and 2-0 in Region 4-6A action with a 40-0 smacking of visiting D’Iberville as senior quarterback Bray Hubbard threw for four touchdowns and ran for two more.
In Long Beach, Gautier standout quarterback Kaden Irving accounted for four touchdowns in the first half as the Gators raced out to a 35-0 lead after the first quarter and led 49-0 at halftime in a 55-6 win over the Bearcats.
And, Stone beat Moss Point 45-18 in the Region 8-4A opener for both teams, dropping Moss Point to 0-6 on the season. It marks just the third time in 70 years that the Tigers have started a season 0-6.
Plus, Hancock beat homesteading St. Martin 35-21 in Region 4-6A play while RCS beat Salem 58-6.
