By TK EDWARDS/Sports Correspondent

GAUTIER — For the first time ever in school history, Gautier is headed to the football state championship game.
A 24-yard field goal attempt in the waning moments of the game Friday night by Brookhaven’s Isaac Iles went wide right, giving the home-standing Gators a thrilling 37-35 win in the Class 5A South State championship game at Vaughn-Wallace Stadium on the Gautier High School campus.
The win not only moves GHS to 12-1 on the season, which ties the record for the most wins in a season in program history, but the Gators glide into the overall Class 5A state championship contest against perennial state power West Point next Friday night in Hattiesburg at M.M. Roberts Stadium on the campus of the University of Southern Mississippi.
Brokhaven ends the season at 11-2.

“Great team win!” GHS head coach Marc High said amongst a jubilant celebration. High’s squad finally broke through after qualifying for its third straight Class 5A South State title tilt.
“These kids played all four quarters. I’m extremely proud of what we’ve been able to accomplish with this group of seniors.”
Brookhaven would win the opening coin toss and promptly march right down the field capped off by a touchdown rush from nine yards out at the 10:48 mark of the first quarter by EJ Ratliff for Brookhaven’s early 7-0 lead.
After Gabe Millender returned a midfield interception to the Brookhaven 30, Gautier would eventually respond with their first points of the game via the leg of Eric Robinson on a field goal of 28 yards with 04:56 to go in the first quarter to make it 7-3 entering the second period.
With 11:39 to go in the second quarter, Gautier would find the end zone for the first time on the nite with a 30-yard touchdown strike to Kainen Rush. The Robinson PAT would give Gautier a 10-7 lead.

High would reach deep into the bag of tricks and spread the Panther defense out running the swinging gate from the 15 yard line. Irving’s pitch to freshman running back La’trell Pogue and the ensuing Robinson PAT gave Gautier a 17-7 lead with 05:55 before the half.
But with 01:54 before halftime quarterback Jaden Allen found wide receiver Tim Smith down the seam for a 51 yard touchdown for BHS. After the Iles PAT, Brookhaven cut the Gautier lead to 17-14 heading into halftime.
Disaster would strike Gautier on the opening kickoff of the second half as Kasin Thomas fumbled the kickoff to give Brookhaven the ball at the Gator 16.
Seconds later running back Caiden Quarles rushed 16 yards for the Brookhaven touchdown. The Iles PAT gave Brookhaven the lead once again with 11:05 to go in the third quarter.
At the 8:57 mark of the third quarter, Gautier would respond as running back La’trell Pogue bolted untouched from 25 yards away. The Robinson PAT would give the lead back at 24-21.

Following the Brookhaven defense blocking a Gautier punt which gave them the ball at the three yard line, offensive lineman Fabian Washington took the handout for the short touchdown giving Brookhaven the lead once again. After another Iles PAT, Brookhaven led 28-24.
With just 00:56 to go in the third quarter, Trey Irving would complete a quick pass to Devon Garrett from the six yard line and after a loose ball Gautier’s Sebastian Gonzalez would recover the ball for the touchdown. Another Robinson PAT would give the Gators the lead at 31-28 entering the final period
Brookhaven would again score seconds into the fourth quarter at the 10:36 mark, with Allen finding Smith from 15 yards out. The Iles PAT gave Brookhaven the 35-31 lead.
With 5:30 remaining in the game, Irving once again found Rush on the touchdown toss from 12 yards away. After a penalty on the original ensuing PAT, Brookhaven would block the next PAT, leaving GHS up at the final count of 37-35 lead.

Brookhaven would punt the ball back away to Gautier with timeouts to use, but after chewing clock and yardage, Gautier fumbled the ball back to Brookhaven with a minute and change to spare.
A chaotic sequence of events would ensue with Brookhaven pushing as far as the GHS seven yard line in the final minute. An Isles field goal attempt would be tipped at the line of scrimmage and fall no good but the officials would call illegal touching on the attempt.
A subsequent attempt would narrowly spin wide right and Gautier would punch their ticket to the 5A State Championship Game.