Gulfport beats Biloxi in 100th rivalry renewal

Thursday night marked the 100th meeting of all time on the football field between long-time arch-rivals Gulfport and Biloxi.

 

The Admirals celebrated the historic milestone by holding off the Indians 33-24 and in the process wrapped up the second spot in Region 4-6A play and the right to host an opening round Class 6A state playoff game that goes with that seed. Jacob Palazzo threw for a pair of scores and Emmanuel Bentley ran for two more as Gulfport led 26-12 after three-quarters of play.

In the other Region 4-6A action Thursday night, two contests were decided fairly quickly.

In Ocean Springs, the home-standing Greyhounds got a trio of touchdowns from running back Will Gray early in the game that resulted in a commanding 21-0 lead and they went on to trounce Harrison Central 43-14.

Ocean Springs remained unbeaten with the win, moving to 10-0 on the season. The Greyhounds had wrapped up their second consecutive league championship with a win over Gulfport last week.

The Red Rebels season ends at 3-7. At Brett Favre Field in the Kiln, visiting Pascagoula used a trio of quick scores by sophomore quarterback Silas Corder to jump out to a quick 21-0 over the home-standing Hawks and cruise to a 28-0 win.

The Hawks had already secured the fourth and final spot in the region race for playoff purposes last week and now stand 6-5 on the year. The Panthers conclude their season at 4-6. In the other Region 4-6A game, D’Iberville ended its season with two straight wins knocking off rival St. Martin 31-28. The Warriors finish the year at 4-7 as does the Yellow Jackets.

In Region 4-5A action Thursday night, Dante Dowdell’s fourth scoring run came in overtime, and the defending Class 5A state champion Maroon Tide remained unbeaten and knocked off visiting Gautier 48-42.

The win gave Picayune the region title, and Gautier finishes second in that league race.

Also, East Central knocked off visiting Vancleave 28-21 in the battle for third place in the league so the Hornets will be the third seed and the Bulldogs the fourth seed. East Central stands 8-2 on the season heading into the Class 4A state playoffs and Vancleave sits 7-3.

George County kept Long Beach win-less with a 63-20 win in the regular season finale for both teams. The Rebels finish the season 2-8, and Long Beach ends at 0-10.

And, West Harrison nipped Pearl River Central 25-23 to finish 6-4 on the season. It marks the first-ever winning season in the 14-year history of the Hurricanes program on the football field.