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

GULFPORT (GG) — With the game being pushed up to Thursday, October 1 due to weekend weather, the Gulfport Admirals (4-1, 1-0) shut down their bitter region rival, Ocean Springs, 42-3 in a lopsided victory beginning Region 4-7A play.  The Admirals dominated the Greyhounds (2-4, 1-1) for the second consecutive year, winning their 8th region game in a row since 2024.

Gulfport manhandled Ocean Springs on both sides of the ball, out-gaining them on offense 409-143, winning the turnover ratio 3-1, and converting 4-7 third downs versus the Greyhounds 4-12.

Scoring Summary

The Admirals quickly got on the board with a 36-yard touchdown run from Joseph “Jojo” Thomas on their first possession.  Following a couple of traded possessions including a touchback where Tight End Travor Frost fumbled on the goal line, Gulfport Linebacker Victor Labega recovered a fumble, which led to another rushing touchdown from Thomas and 14-0 Admiral lead.

After a TFL from Gulfport Safety Cordarious Payton, Ocean Springs fumbled again inside the Admirals red zone.  Next play, Admiral Quarterback Jackson Wolverton found Frost on an 18-yard dump for a touchdown and a Gulfport 21-0 lead that would last until halftime.

Coming out of the gates, Gulfport received the ball and marched down the field on a lengthy drive.  With trading possessions, Payton took a 64-yard punt return for a touchdown and 28-0 lead.

The Greyhounds did get on the scoreboard with a lengthy drive from a lenghty field goal, contributed by a few penalties from the Admirals.  Gulfport still held on to the lead 28-3, which would only increase the lead on the next possession.

After a few passes to veteran receivers Javious Hales and Camden Morgan, Gulfport handed off to Thomas for a 5-yard score and a 35-3 lead at the end of the quarter.

Starting the final quarter, the Admirals got the ball again and drove down with numerous new backs getting the possession.  Wolverton found Wide Receiver Syniker Taylor down the sideline for a touchdown and 42-3 lead, which would be the final score.

What the Coach said

Defending MHSAA 7A State Champion Coach Blake Pennock definitely was excited with his quarterback’s performance for the whole season.

“If you look at his stats, he’s over 1200 yards passing and he’s completing passes at 76%, and his job is ultimately be the point guard for this team,” said Pennock, who has an overall record of 69-21 after 8 years (Gulfport, Ocean Springs, Pass Christian).  “I told him that his job was to make good decisions and take care of the football.”

When referring to the Gulfport defense, Pennock expressed “the big thing we want to say is to dominate and take away the ball routinely, we want to take away what the opponent’s offense is trying to achieve.”

The Numbers Never Lie

Wolverton was near perfect, tossing for 234 yards on 17-20 passing and two touchdowns.  Thomas led from the ground with 135 yards rushing and 3 touchdowns.  Frost led all receivers with 5 receptions for 72 yards and a score.

Defensively, Labega led the team in tackles with 11 and had two TFLs.  Nose Tackle Lawrence Robertson picked up a sack for the Admirals and Defensive Back Jayonne Pollard had 6 tackles along with an interception.

Placekicker Shaw Killebrew converted all 6 extra points for Gulfport.

Next Up

The Gulfport Admirals will play their first region road game against the undefeated St. Martin Yellow Jackets (6-0, 2-0) at Joe Barlow Stadium in Ocean Springs.  Due to a potential hurricane, the football game has been moved to Thursday, October 8.  The radio broadcast for this game will be on G96.7 FM radio.

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