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

GULFPORT (GG) — The weather delay was the only thing keeping the Gulfport Admirals (2-0) football team out of the end zone Friday night, September 11 as they shutout the Laurel Tornadoes 51-0 at their new stadium.  With 388 yards total offense, holding the opponent under 100 yards, and shutting the other team for the second consecutive week, the defending MHSAA 7A State Champion Gulfport dominated the game in every aspect.

From an opening 52-yard touchdown pass between Quarterback Jackson Wolverton to Wide Receiver Syniker Taylor to 4 sacks by the defense, 15 TFLs (tackles for loss) and a 28-yard interception returned for a score by Linebacker Victor Labega, the Admirals appeared close to perfect on both sides of the ball.

With a 34-0 lead at the half, Gulfport forced four turnovers and stopped the Tornadoes on fourth down twice, securing turnovers on downs.  Despite a first series fumble on the exchange from Gulfport, the Admirals stopped the Tornadoes possessions, forcing a turnover on downs and marched down for a short 25-yard field goal from kicker Shaw Killebrew.

The kick made the score 37-0 and by MHSAA rules, the nonstop lock began.

Gulfport scored two more touchdowns without a blink and accomplished their first victory at the new Admiral field on the high school campus.

Offensively, Wolverton led the Admirals in the air, tossing 15-20 for 208 yards and 4 touchdown passes.  On the ground, Joseph Thomas topped all three running backs with 86 yards on 5 carries and a score.  Tyson Otumfour picked up the other touchdown on the ground.

Taylor caught only two passes for the night, but they were both touchdowns and his 73 yards led the squad.  Additionally, Javious Hales and Travor Frost caught the other scores.

Defensively, Labega had the scoring interception, but also led the team in tackles, had 2 TFLs, and a sack.  Defensive Tackle Lawrence Robertson had 5 tackles and 2 sacks.  Linebacker Deandre “Pork Chop” Williams had 3 tackles and a sack additionally.

The Admirals play their next game on the road against Petal.  The Panthers have a 10-3 record against Gulfport all time and the Admirals knocked Petal out of the playoffs last year 45-10.  This will be Gulfport’s last non-region game.

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