By CURTIS ROCKWELL/Sports Director

OCEAN SPRINGS — Kristian Dillard, a multi-sport standout for Ocean Springs, will walk across the stage with the rest of his graduating class Wednesday night as the high school recognizes its departing seniors.

And even though about 450 students will receive their diplomas, Dillard’s departure will leave a void in the Greyhound athletic program that may take numerous underclassmen to fill.

Dillard was the only player that started for the Region 4-7A champions on both the football field and the baseball diamond for the Greyhounds.

As a cornerback, the 6-foot-1, 180-pound Dillard led Ocean Springs with four interceptions as the Greyhounds went 9-1 in the regular season including a nine game win streak and raced to a perfect 5-0 mark in league play in taking the first-ever Region 4-7A title.

In baseball, Dillard was a steady source of athleticism both in the outfield and along the base paths after he stepped into his starter role early in the campaign. Ocean Springs went an impressive 12-3 in league play and once again, captured the first-ever Region 4-7A title on both the gridiron and the diamond.

Dillard’s exploits helped a pair of first-year Greyhounds head coaches produce league-winning trophies in their first year on the job.

“Tremendous athlete, and even better kid,” OSHS head baseball coach Ryne Long said. “He’s worked his tail off since the day he stepped foot in the building, knowing he was going to have to earn every bit of time he got. He’s a natural leader, that comes from an awesome family. He really took on a leadership role here. He isn’t the most outspoken guy but he leads by example and when he speaks his teammates listen.”

New Greyhound head football coach Jake Bramlett was equally impressed by Dillard.

“Kristian is the ultimate competitor,” Bramlett said. “When he joined our program, he elevated the play of a defense that was prepared to be one of the best Class 7A had to offer. His mindset towards winning and perfection brought out the best in all of our players, on both sides of the ball. I couldn’t say enough good things about him and what he did in his short time as Greyhound.”

Dillard recorded 31 total tackles and six passes defended in addition to his team-high four interceptions last season, and he returned one of those pick offs for a touchdown.

He helped lead Bramlett’s first edition of the greyhounds to a berth in the first-ever Class 7A South State playoffs.

“He is a respectful young man raised by excellent parents,” Bramlett continued. “In my first year leading this program, the Dillard’s (father and son) could not have been more valuable to the Ocean Springs Greyhounds.”

Upon the completion of the Ocean Springs football season, Dillard set his sights on helping Long and the Greyhound achieve the same type of success in his first season as a head coach as well.

“It was unfair to him probably, but at one point we had made the decision he was going to start the next game in right,” Long added. “As luck would have it we got rained out all three games that week and the next game on the schedule was Jackson Prep. All he does is go two-for-three at the plate and makes a few really good defensive plays against one of the most powerful high school baseball teams in the state.”

Dillard then helped guide the Greyhounds to not only the region title, just as in football, but also to an opening round postseason series win over perennial state power Petal in the first-ever Class 7A South State playoffs as well.

Oh, and in that first start, the Greyhounds knocked off Jackson Prep 3-2. The Patriots went on to win their seventh consecutive Mississippi Association of Independent Schools state title.

“From then on, he really solidified himself as our everyday right fielder,” Long concluded. “He’s a very intense competitor and never hesitates to do whatever is asked of him to make his team better. We were sure glad to have him.”