By SAM STAFF/Sports Writer

GULFPORT — Gulfport placekicker Carter Platt pushed a potential game-winning field goal just to the right as the final horn sounded and Petal nipped the home-standing Admirals 25-24 Friday night at historic Milner Stadium.
The decision drops Gulfport to 1-2 on the season, while the Panthers move to 3-1 in this battle of Class 7A foes.
The game was a rematch from the opening round Class 7A South State playoffs match-up from last season, when the Panthers ended the season for Gulfport on a last second field goal that resulted in a 20-17 Petal win in this same venue.

Platt hit a 27-yard field goal in the first period to put the home team up 3-0.
Gulfport also got three touchdowns out of senior standout running back Cooper Crosby, as he ran for a 1-yard score that knotted things up at 10-10 heading into halftime.
Crosby also auled in both a 12-yard touchdown catch from quarterback Parker Nettles as well as a 33-yard scoring strike from Nettles as well, the last of which put Gulfport up 24-17 with 4:33 to play in the contest.
But the Panthers immediately responded with a 15-play, 80-yard scoring drive that climaxed with a 1-yard scoring plunge by running back Acely Brown with :59 seconds left on the game clock.

Petal head coach Marcus Boyles then decided to go for two, and wingback Jacob Bidges hit tight end Trey Barnes on a double pass for the game-winning points.
Brown also added a 60-yard scoring scamper in the first half, and PHS quarterback Caiden Belton scored on a 1-yard sneak in the third period.

This was the 12th all-time meeting between the Admirals and the Panthers on the football field, and Petal now leads the all-time series 10-2.