The chill of a 45-degree evening at Hugh Pepper Field couldn’t cool off
the Brandon Bulldogs, who captured the Class 7A South State championship on Friday with a commanding 31-13 victory over the Ocean Springs Greyhounds.
A night full of big plays, key turnovers and standout performances, particularly from running back Tyson Robinson, saw the Bulldogs secure their first South State title in several years.
First quarter: Bulldogs strike early
The game kicked off under chilly conditions, with the temperature continuing to drop as the evening wore on. But Brandon’s offense quickly warmed up.
On their opening drive, the Bulldogs used a potent Wildcat formation, with Robinson taking the snap and marching his way into the end zone for a 3-yard touchdown. The Bulldogs led 7-0 early in the first quarter.
Ocean Springs responded with some trickery of its own.
On a fake punt near midfield, the Greyhounds caught the Brandon defense off guard, picking up a crucial first down.
The fake punt sparked a drive that culminated in a 10-yard touchdown run by Ocean Springs’ Will Smith Jr. However, Brandon’s special teams came up big, blocking the extra point. The score was 7-6 in favor of the Bulldogs with just 2:20 left in the quarter.
Brandon wasted little time in extending its lead. Quarterback Sladen Shack connected on a deep pass to wide receiver Quincy Phillips, who hauled in a big reception to put the Bulldogs inside the Greyhounds 5-yard line.
On the very next play, Robinson took the direct snap in the Wildcat and powered in for a 2-yard touchdown. At the end of the quarter, Brandon led 14-6.
Second quarter: Turnovers and momentum shifts
The second quarter was a defensive battle, with both teams forcing turnovers on downs and scrambling to capitalize on opportunities.
Ocean Springs’ defense held its ground against the Bulldogs while Brandon’s defense stayed aggressive and stifling.
With about six minutes left in the first half, the Bulldogs offense stalled and was forced to punt.
The Bulldogs defense then made a pivotal play with just 40 seconds left in the half. Jamerion Rollins intercepted a pass in the end zone, halting a promising drive for Ocean Springs and preserving Brandon’s 14-6 lead.
With time winding down, Brandon’s offense quickly moved the ball down the field. Shack connected on two big passes to set up Robinson for a 15-yard touchdown reception, with Robinson catching the ball out of the backfield.
The score gave Brandon a 21-6 lead at halftime.
Third quarter: Defensive standoff
The second half was dominated by defensive play, with neither team able to score in the third quarter.
Ocean Springs struggled to get anything going offensively while Brandon’s defense continued to stymie the Greyhounds.
Despite a few solid drives, Ocean Springs couldn’t capitalize on any of its possessions, and the Bulldogs defense proved impenetrable.
Fourth quarter: Bulldogs put the game away
As the fourth quarter began, Brandon increased its lead.
Kicker Rhett Griffith delivered a 21-yard field goal to push the Bulldogs’ advantage to 24-6 with 11:55 remaining in the game.
Brandon’s offense continued to roll, adding another touchdown for a 31-6 lead, effectively putting the game out of reach for the Greyhounds.
With the Bulldogs defense continuing to play well, Ocean Springs’ hopes of a comeback were slim.
Final push by Ocean Springs
Despite the mounting deficit, Ocean Springs refused to give up. With just under three minutes left in the game, backup quarterback Chalmers Berglin led a brief and spirited drive that ended with a 5-yard touchdown run.
The score cut the lead to 31-13, but it was too little, too late. The Greyhounds couldn’t muster any more offense, and the Bulldogs sealed their victory.
Looking ahead
Brandon advances to the state finals, where the Bulldogs will face Tupelo for the ultimate prize. The 7A state championship will take place on Dec. 5 at M.M. Roberts Stadium in Hattiesburg. Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m.
The Bulldogs’ strong all-around performance—from Robinson’s electrifying plays to the defense’s key stops—makes them a formidable force as they look to claim a state title.
Ocean Springs, despite the defeat, had a solid season, showing resilience and heart. The Greyhounds started the season 0-4 but won eight straight games and a region title.
