High school football south state preview: Picayune Maroon Tide

The Maroon Tide have been on a tear over the last two months as they have won nine straight games, including their first two playoff matchups, in route to their fourth consecutive south state appearance.

Like Gautier, Picayune has hosted each and every round so far this postseason. The Maroon Tide scored 56 points in their round two win over the George County Rebels. Their reward? Hosting the undefeated Hattiesburg Tigers. While outsiders have their own opinions, head coach Cody Stogner and star running backs Darrell Smith and Triston Cooper say that they are ready to prove everyone wrong.

“I think our experience of being in the game hopefully pays dividends for us,” coach Stogner said. “We can’t make it bigger than what it is. It’s just another high school football game and we are trying to be 1-0 after it.”

“Have to stay hungry, have to stay determined, have to stay dedicated to our job and come out hot,” running back Darrell Smith said. “We need our fans. Hattiesburg has a good band, they have a lot of energy over there, so we are going to need our fans to help us win Friday night.”

“It feels good, you know, we have been here before,” running back Triston Cooper said. “Just have to come in on Monday and finish the job. They are hyping them up a lot, you know, but I feel like we can compete with anybody in the south.”