Picayune football loaded to make another 5A title run

Picayune could have one of its best teams under coach Dodd Lee in 2017.

The Maroon Tide returns 17 starters from last year’s 12-2 squad that reached the 5A South State championship game, which Laurel won 45-27 at Picayune.

The Picayune program has three 5A state championships in its trophy case: 1986, 2011 and 2013. Lee was an assistant coach on the 1986 team under Calvin Triplett, but was head coach for the last two Maroon Tide crowns.

“We’re a little beat up right now,” Lee said. “If we get healthy, we’ll be as good a team as we’ve had around here. We have a chance. It’ll be the middle of the season before I know what kind of team we’ll have.”

With 10 starters returning on defense, Picayune should be tough on that side of the ball.

Three starters on the defensive front are back: senior bookends Jacob Brumley and Rashard Johnson and junior tackle Juvonta Raymond.

Three linebackers also return: seniors Brian Taylor, David Baker and Michael Ferrier.

The secondary is loaded with the return of cornerbacks Shaun Anderson, Ronald Polk and safeties Michael Ferrier and Jeremiah Stallings. Anderson, Polk and Ferrier are seniors; Stallings is a junior.

“We played well at times defensively last year,” Lee said. “With experience, we’ll be better on defense.”

Offensively, Picayune returns seven starters from its trademark running attack.

Three starters return on the offensive line: senior tackle Benny Holifield, guards Darius Magee and Jacob Brumley. Brumley is a senior and Magee is a junior.

Shaun Anderson, who gained 1,096 yards rushing and eight touchdowns last season, is likely the Maroon Tide’s workhorse at running back, replacing Josh Littles, now at Jackson State. Junior Jortin Raine and senior David Baker will also get carries in a potent Picayune rushing attack.

Dylan Ramsay and Michael Hunter return at tight end. Polk is back at wide receiver, as is wingback V.J. Holt. All four are seniors.

Senior Tyler Penton will move to quarterback after having played tight end last season.

“Tyler gives us a physical presence at quarterback,” Lee said. “We can do a lot of things with him at quarterback. At 6-foot-3, he’s got nice size and is very physical.”

Juvonta Raymond is expected to start at fullback.

The Maroon Tide has a tough schedule. For the first time in a decade, Picayune faces Poplarville. The Maroon Tide travels to Poplarville on Aug. 18.

“Poplarville has a good team that went to the state championship game,” Lee said. “I hope we’ll be excited to play them as they’re excited to play us. That will be a good test to see how good we are.”

Picayune also resumes its rivalry against Wayne County, who replaced Pascagoula in Region 4-5A. The War Eagles and Maroon Tide, who play on Sept. 22 in Waynesboro, have often battled for a berth in the state finals over the years.

This story was originally published August 8, 2017 at 4:00 AM with the headline "Picayune football loaded to make another 5A title run."