The Gulfport Admirals (6-2 overall, 3-0 in Region 4-7A) clinched a playoff berth for the fourth consecutive year with a 42-7 homecoming victory over the St. Martin Yellow Jackets (3-5, 0-3) on Friday after accounting for 408 yards in total offense and allowing just 147.Â
The Admirals overcame five turnovers and a turnover on downs.
The scoring summary
Opening the game, the Admirals forced a three-and-out by the Yellow Jackets, only to have the punt return muffed, which allowed St. Martin to march down the field before quarterback Seth Crockett scored from 2 yards out with 6:47 left in the first quarter.
The Yellow Jackets would not score again for the rest of the game as Gulfport racked up 42 unanswered points.
The Admirals scored four straight touchdowns and built a 28-7 lead on a 1-yard run by Dakoreyan Payton, a 2-yard run by Cooper Crosby, a 98-yard reception by Crosby on a pass from Dane Sullivan and a 1-yard toss from Sullivan to Crosby.
A fumble and a deflected interception kept the Admirals from scoring more before halftime.
A 1-yard Crosby dive for a touchdown with 9:50 left in the third quarter gave Gulfport a 35-7 lead before the Admirals turned the ball over two more times on a fumble and an interception at the start of the fourth quarter.
St. Martin could not put together any series in the final quarter and Gulfport took advantage. With 3:55 left in the game, Sullivan found receiver Caleb Parish alone near midfield for a 31-yard touchdown pass and a 42-7 lead.
The numbers never lie
Sullivan led the Gulfport offense, throwing for 263 yards and three touchdowns on 10-of-22 attempts. He also rushed for 19 yards.
The dynamic duo of Crosby and Payton combined for 126 yards rushing and three touchdowns along with three receptions for 179 yards and two touchdowns.
The Admirals defense held firm, finishing with seven tackles for loss. Lineman Javon Anderson led the team with 10 tackles and three tackles for loss. Tre’Von Deans of Gulfport intercepted a pass with 10:05 left in the first half.
Next up
Even though the Admirals clinched a playoff berth in Class 7A, a win next week against Ocean Springs would solidify a chance at winning their first region title since 2019, when Gulfport was a region winner in 6A.Â
Next week, Gulfport will play at Ocean Springs and St. Martin will visit D’Iberville.
