By CURTIS ROCKWELL/Sports Director

GULFPORT — There will be no Port City Bowl doubleheader to kick off the upcoming 2025 prep football season.

After over a decade of competition, Gulfport Athletics Director Matt Walters recently confirmed to SouthMiss6 Sports recently that the Admirals won’t host the annual affair that most recently pitted Harrison Central in the opening game against another opponent followed by Gulfport High playing yet another foe in the nightcap all at historic Milner Stadium.

Walters indicated that heat issues with the wet bulb globe temperature apparatus the past two years has caused delays and complicated matters and the decision was made to forgo the classic this season.

It is not known if the doubleheader will return in the near future.

What is known is that the Admirals will once again be at home to open a new season as GHS is set to host Picayune to kickoff the season for both teams on Friday, Aug. 29th.

Also, Harrison Central will once again open the season on the road, but the Red Rebels will be traveling quite a bit further away from their Lyman campus this season as they head up U.S. Hwy 49 to Jackson to face the home-standing Lanier High Bulldogs at Hughes Field.

Go Lady Yellow Jackets!

Speaking of prep football, the St. Martin Lady Yellow Jackets captured the first-ever girls MHSAA flag football state championship Saturday in Picayune.

The championship contest was an all “Southern Six” affair pitting St. Martin and George County. The Lady Yellow Jackets, under the direction of veteran St. Martin boys head basketball coach Charlie Pavlus, took the title with an 18-0 shutout of the Lady Rebels.

St. Martin kinda ran roughshod throughout the one day tournament to decide the inaugural state title as it beat Brandon 24-6 to open play and then smothered South Pike 24-0 in the semifinal round before recording yet another shutout in the finals.

Edmiston a Cowboy

Former Ocean Springs High All-State kicking specialist Bart Edmiston Jr., is headed to the University of Wyoming to continue his playing career.

The former NJCAA All-American and two-time all-conference selection at Jones College Community College announced recently he was signing with the Cowboys of the Mountain West Conference. He will have two years of eligibility left.

He confirmed his decision after visiting Laramie for the annual Brown and Gold Spring game, then made it official with a social-media post.

“When I first arrived in Laramie, it was not what I was expecting. It was astonishing, Edmiston told 7220sports.com. “After meeting all the coaches, players and staff, I knew this was the place I was meant to be.”

In 2023 at JCJC, he was regarded as the top punter in the conference, earning MACCC South Special Teams Player of the Year and was the First Team All-MACCC and NJCAA All-Region 23 punter. He Led the nation in punt average (44.6) with 22 inside-the-20, and he had 16 punts of 50-plus and three of 60-plus yards, including a career-best 65-yarder at Pearl River. He also kicked for the Bobcats, connecting on 9-of-13 field goals and 29-of-30 point after attempts.

Edmiston originally signed with USM in early 2024, but returned to JCJC last season and punted and handled some kickoffs for the Bobcats.