ROSEPINE – Something has to be said about setting the tone early.

Rosepine running back Grant Ducote scored on a 57-yard TD run on the opening play of the contest and the Eagles never looked back as they dominated the Pickering Red Devils in district play Friday night at McKee-McCain Stadium, 50-20.

With the win, Rosepine improved to 3-2 overall, 2-1 in district play, while Pickering dropped to 4-2 on the year, 2-1 in the league.

After the quick hitter, Ducote added two more touchdowns, scoring from 8 and 13 yards as the Eagles opened up a 21-0 lead early in the second quarter.

The Red Devils finally broke into the scoring column when Marlon Freeney connected with Dashawn Jackson on a 43-yard TD pass. They also hooked up for the 2-point conversion to trim the gap to 21-8.

But before the end of the first half, Ethan Frey scored on an 8-yard TD run. Ducote added the two for a 29-8 Rosepine advantage.

Frey added a 3-yard TD run in the third, while Freeney had one of his own for Pickering as the Red Devils trailed the Eagles, 36-14, going into the final frame.

The Eagles got a touchdown from Bryant Merriwether when he took a shovel pass from Frey 72 yards to the house, only to see Pickering counter with an 81-yard TD pass from Freeney to Evan Fernandez.

Braden Trull added the final touchdown to the board for Rosepine, accounting for the 50-20 triumph.

Ducote ran the ball 15 times for 148 yards and three touchdowns, while also catching two passes for another 53 yards. Merriwether had three catches for 93 yards and a TD, while Frey, who ran for 49 yards and two TDs, threw for 202 yards and a TD.

Freeney completed 16-of-25 passes for 252 yards and two touchdowns with two interceptions, while also rushing for a TD and 47 yards.

Pickering is scheduled to face Kinder next week, while Rosepine meets up with Oakdale. Both games will likely be on Saturday.

This article originally appeared on Leesville Daily Leader: Rosepine claims Big Dog Jug, tops Pickering