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

GULFPORT (GG) — For the first time in 26 years (1999), the Gulfport High Admirals football team (10-2, 6-0) earned a berth in the MHSAA South State Championship. The Admirals beat the Petal Panthers 45-10 Friday, November 21 holding them to 150 yards and 4-14 on fourth down conversions.

Winning 9 consecutive games, Gulfport notched their 15th season winning 10 games, 13th region championship, most points scored in a season (453) and the fifth appearance in the state semifinals. The result was nothing new for the Admirals, who have now won seven games by 28 points or more so far this season.

Gulfport got their win on the backs of several key players, but it was Cooper Crosby out in front who rushed for 105 yards and two scores. Crosby has been hot for a while, having posted two or more rushing touchdowns the last nine times he’s played. Gulfport also got help from Wide Receiver Javious Hales, who showed off his sure hands for 93 receiving yards.

Special teams also played a big role in the game for Gulfport, adding 15 points to the final score. The biggest highlight from special teams (and perhaps the team as a whole) came courtesy of Cordarious Payton, who ran a punt back for a touchdown.

Gulfport didn’t go easy on the quarterback and picked off two passes before the game was over. The interceptions came courtesy of Defensive Lineman Jy’Savian Causey and Defensive Back Hales.  The Admirals got some further help from Deandre Williams: he made ten total tackles (3.0 for loss).

“I came here for moments like this, to get Gulfport High to a state championship with a chance,” said Gulfport High School Head Football Coach Blake Pennock, 23-11 after three years on The HD Experience Podcast.  “We’ve had some big players make some big plays this year and we had to get more physical on both sides of the ball.”

Looking ahead, Gulfport will host Brandon at 7:00 p.m. on Friday for the projected final game at Joseph W. Milner Stadium to play in the MHSAA 7A South State Championship. With a victory, the Admirals would play December 6 at the Davis Wade Stadium in Starkville for the MHSAA 7A State Championship.

The last time Gulfport beat the Brandon Bulldogs was in the second round of the 1999 playoffs, their last year to have a berth in the South State Championship.

(Photos by Aimee Cronan/The Gazebo Gazette via Associated Press)