In the 102nd Gulfport-Biloxi game, the oldest high school football rivalry on the Mississippi Gulf Coast, the Admirals scored three unanswered touchdowns to beat the Indians 21-7 in Biloxi on Thursday.
Gulfport (4-2 overall, 1-0 in region play) won with only 295 yards in total offense.
“I really think our guys are looking forward,” said coach Blake Pennock, who is in his second year with the Admirals. “We had to overcome some adversity and needed healing with the week off.”
After Gulfport’s opening possession ended with a three-and-out, Biloxi took the ball and ran a quick-tempo offense. With runs from Jamir Haskin and Jaylan Johnson, the Indians drove down the field behind quarterback Wyatt Pyron for what would be Biloxi’s only touchdown.
Biloxi (2-4, 0-1) held only a 7-0 halftime lead because of numerous penalties and bad field position. Gulfport’s Jesus Cardenas placed three punts inside the Biloxi 20-yard line.
Coming out of the gates for the second half, the Admirals jumped all over Biloxi.
On the Admirals’ first possession of the half, Gulfport High’s power back, Cooper Crosby, ran right up the middle for a number of plays and eventually put his head down toward the end zone for a touchdown. Grayson Tegeder’s extra point tied the game at 7.
On the next drive, Biloxi fumbled and Gulfport defensive back Pierre Felder made the recovery, which led to a 35-yard touchdown pass from Dane Sullivan to Krisjeohn Burks for the Admirals’ first lead at 14-7.
The third Gulfport touchdown came on a 6-yard stretch from Dakoreyan Payton to seal the deal at 21-7 for the Admirals.
Sullivan was 18-of-21 for 151 yards and a touchdown. Crosby and Payton combined for 143 yards rushing and each scored a touchdown.
Defensively, Gulfport linebacker Andre Peters led the Admirals with 11 tackles. Linebackers Amajri Frederick and Javon Anderson also contributed.
Next week, the Admirals will play D’Iberville at Milner Stadium at 7 p.m.
