by Hunter Dawkins, Owner/Publisher – editor@thegazebogazette.com or hdawkins@supertalk.fm

GULFPORT (GG) — On Friday, October 24, the Gulfport High Admirals (6-2, 4-0) football team extended their winning streak to five while remaining undefeated in region play by shutting out the Biloxi Indians 35-0 at the Joseph W. Milner Stadium.  In their 103rd matchup against Biloxi (Gulfport leads the series 64-35-4), the Admirals only accounted for 337 yards total offense, but the defense shut down the Indians from any chance to score by stopping two red zone possessions.

The Admirals simply couldn’t be stopped on Friday thanks in part to Gulfport Running Back Cooper Crosby, who rushed for 130 yards and a pair of touchdowns on only nine carries, and also picked up 59 receiving yards and one TD. His longest rush was for an incredible 77 yards. Another player making a difference was Quarterback Parker Nettles who threw for 192 yards and a pair of TDs while completing 73.1% of his passes. His passing game has become a key predictor of Gulfport’s success: the team is undefeated when his passer rating is 100 or higher, but only 1-2 otherwise.

Near the end of the first half, Nettles tossed a 14-yard pass to Tight End Cooper Gouin for a touchdown and 21-0 lead.

Defensively, the Admirals took care of business as they have all year by only allowing 180 yards, forcing a turnover, and partially blocking a field goal that was returned by Gulfport Defensive End Javon Anderson 99 yards at the end of the first half.  Outside Linebacker Deandre Williams led Gulfport defense with 6 tackles and a sack

The Admirals will now prepare for their match against D’Iberville High School (7-1, 3-1) for the 2025 Region 4-7A Championship at Warrior Stadium Friday, October 31 (Halloween). In their last challenge, D’Iberville bounced St. Martin High School, 46-10 in a league test.  If Gulfport wins, they secure the region.  If Gulfport loses by 12 or less and wins the last week against Harrison Central, they will still earn region title.

With the defeat, Biloxi drops to 2-6, 1-3 on the campaign. The Indians host West Harrison (Gulfport, MS) to meet the Hurricanes in a #4 seed test on Friday, October 31. The Hurricanes come into the test with a record of 6-3 as they lost 55-21 in their recent league test against Ocean Springs.  If West Harrison beats Biloxi, they will earn their first playoff berth ever in the history of their program (2009-present).

If Biloxi wins, they must win at D’Iberville the following week.  They also need St. Martin to lose at Ocean Springs.  Anything less — no playoffs.

(Photos by Hunter Dawkins/The Gazebo Gazette via Associated Press)