by Hunter Dawkins

Despite the potential rain Friday night, local high school football was ready.  The Gulfport Admirals were led by The Gazebo Gazette 2019 Offensive Player of the Year; Senior Quarterback Cade Crosby, who dismantled the West Harrison Hurricanes game plan tossing three touchdown passes for 230 yards in their 36-8 victory.  Across the interstate, the Long Beach Bearcats scored early, but could not sustain the lead with a 63-18 loss to the East Central Hornets.

After a few first quarter possessions, the Admirals were finally first to put points on the scoreboard with a rushing touchdown from Gulfport Senior Tyran Gable.  Following conversion of the extra point and under two minutes left in the first quarter, the score was 7-0 Gulfport.

Crosby provided Gulfport with two passing touchdowns before the half to build an Admiral lead to 21-0 into the half.

Much of the same from the West Harrison football field in the second half, as the Admirals defense stymied any chance for the Hurricanes.  Gulfport Running Back William Jones ran a 56-yard touchdown in the final minute of the third quarter and the Admirals converted the two-points for the new score of 29-0.

Allowing another touchdown pass from Crosby secured the Gulfport victory, but the Hurricanes running back Llanes Dickerson kept the Hurricanes from being shutout.  “Diesel” Dickerson drove through the middle of the line for a 13-yard touchdown run with under three minutes left in the game.  With the two point conversion crossing the line, the final score was 36-8 Gulfport Admirals victory.

Dickerson led both teams on the ground with 114 yards.

So far in 2019, Crosby has passed for 1073 yards and 13 touchdown passes for the Admirals while Dickerson rushed for 1073 yards and scored 20 touchdowns in rushing/receiving.

The Hurricanes now hold a 1-5, 0-2 record. They take the field next when they travel to D’Iberville for a 6A Region 4 game on Friday, October 11. West Harrison will battle a Warriors team coming off a 28-14 league win over Ocean Springs (Ocean Springs, MS).  The Admirals (4-2) will now prepare for their game against Hancock (Kiln, MS).

Although Long Beach (1-5, 0-2) were the first to score on Friday night at Lumpkin-Magee Field, they were overmatched by the perennial powerhouse East Central Hornets after moving to the 5A classification this year.

“They were a great football team and turnovers on offense and missing assignments on defense was the determining factor,” said Long Beach Head Football Philip Pigott.  “We have to bounce back next week and get back on track.”

The ground game was steady for the Bearcats, as Long Beach running backs Tyree Peters had 81 yards with a touchdown and D’lijah Robinson finished with 86 total offensive yards and 2 touchdowns.

The Bearcats travel to Pearl River Central (Carriere, MS) to battle the Blue Devils in a 5A Region 4 test on Friday, October 11 at 7pm.