By MAURICE SINGLETON/Sports Writer

GULFPORT — Gautier quarterback Paul Irving completed two of three passes in overtime, the third to Devon Garrett from three yards out for a touchdown to give the Gators a 26-23 win over Harrison Central in in the first game of the annual “Port City Bowl” at Milner Stadium in on Friday evening.

It marked the first ever meeting between the two teams on the gridiron.

Gautier trailed the Red Rebels 20-17 with just over two minutes remaining in the game. Looking downfield Irving could not find an open receiver, but broke free down the Gators’ side of the field for a 38-yard gain to the Red Rebels 23-yard line. The Gators would fumble and recover for a loss of six yards. On fourth down, they would call on their field goal kicker, Eric Robinson, and he would kick his second field goal of the night, a 37-yarder to tie the game at 20-20 with 1:26 remaining on the game clock.

In overtime, Harrison Central scored on a field goal to give them a 23-20 lead, but the field goal would prove to be not enough.

“We’ve been in big games, and we understand big games,” said Gautier coach Marc High. “They were doing a lot early to hurt us, but we were able to come back, testament to these kids and these coaches. And the kids just balled.”

Gautier took an early lead, scoring the first ten points of the game before giving up a touchdown to Harrison Central as time expired going into halftime.

Harrison Central would build on their lead early in the third quarter, scoring on a 32-yard touchdown play from Jorden Anderson to Demarion Terry to take their first lead at 13-10 after they failed on a 2-point conversion attempt

.Gautier would give up three turnovers in the third quarter – three interceptions, but their defense denied the Red Rebels from capitalizing.

The Gators Frederick Nicholson would intercept the Red Rebels with 55 seconds remaining on the third quarter clock, and the Gators would not be denied. Irving led the Gators on a 9-play drive with him capping the drive with a 9-yard keeper for regain the lead for the Gators at 17-13.

The Gators’ defense would deny the Red Rebels a first down on their ensuing possession, forcing a punt. But the Gators would err on the ensuing possession, fumbling the ball over to the Red Rebels on second down, giving them great field position at the Gators’ 25 yardline.

Harrison Central made quick work of the gift, scoring on a 9-yard touchdown carry, immediately after Anderson connected with Jayden Cooper for 16 yards.

“Our defense played a heck of a game,” said Red Rebels coach Nekemia Rich. “They carried us the whole game. Offense got off to a slow start. We got gong. We just got to be able to make plays when it counts. I am very pleased with the effort: for us to take this game into overtime. Gautier’s got a really good team. These kids came out and played a heck of a game. That’s Mississippi football.”

Gautier plays at D’Iberville next Friday. Harrison Central hosts G.W. Carver out of New Orleans.