By CURTIS ROCKWELL/Sports Director

GULFPORT — In the past 13 seasons, Gulfport has qualified for the state playoffs 11 times.
However, only twice during that span have the Admirals managed to make it past the opening round.
Under first-year head coach Blake Pennock last season, Gulfport finished 6-5 overall and finished second in the new Region 4-7A. But, the 2023 campaign came to an abrupt end in the first round of the Class 7A South State playoffs with a 17-13 loss to visiting Pearl at historic Milner Stadium.
“I’m excited to be back for year two here,” Pennock said, in a recent interview. “Anytime you get into year one in a program there’s new things, faces and new ways of doing stuff but now in year two things are a little more common and familar for everyone. First year in the program last year some things were kind of hit and miss right there. It was a super talented team but just couldn’t get over the hump and we came up short a few times but that’s part of tying to build a culture which is what we’re trying to do.
“Just going into year two, everybody knows who the people are and what they do and all the things that make them tick. It’s been a lot smoother transition this year.”

The Admirals must replace quarterback Nico Williams, who at one point signed a scholarship with Southeastern Louisiana after throwing for almost 2,200 yards and 18 touchdowns. Dane Sullivan steps in for the Admirals behind center.
Cooper Crosby steps in for more action at fullback and senior wide out Krisjohn. Burks is expected to be one of Sullivan’s top targets.
Defensively, Gulfport must replace lineman Kai McClendon who signed with Mississippi State. Harrison Central transfer Tre’von Deans will patrol the secondary and Andre Peters returns at linebacker after making 63 total tackles last season.
Last season, Deans had 47 tackles with 35 solo and four tackles for loss and he had six interceptions. He also caused a pair of fumbles and recovered a fumble as well. He is also expected to see time out wide on offense for the Admirals this season.

Gulfport again faces a tough pre-region schedule that includes Madison Central, Picayune and Brandon among others before the Admirals even get to league play where Pennock’s former school Ocean Springs has won three straight region titles.
“We should know a lot about our team after the first five games,” Pennock, who is looking to bring GHS its first league crown since 2019, said. “And Ocean Springs, everybody knows that is where I came from. I was the head coach there and, obviously, it is a big game. They have had a really good amount of success over the last several years. Gulfport has kind of always had that success and you want to try and get back to that. Right now they are the team to beat and they are not going to give it away so that is obviously a big game that we have circled on our calendar.”