By CURTIS ROCKWELL/Sports Director
Tonight were gonna party like it’s 1999….
With all due respect to the late, great artist formerly known as Prince, Gulfport is headed back to a South State championship game for the first time in 26 years.
The Admirals pounded Petal at historic Milner Stadium in the Class 7A South State semifinals 45-10 Friday night. The win moves Gulfport into the South State finals for the first time since 1999 next week and the Admirals will get to host Brandon with a trip to the Class 7A state championship contest on the line.
Gulfport fell to Jackson Provine 28-13 on Nov. 28th, 1999.

Brandon nipped Oak Grove 30-27 in overtime Friday night.
In Class 6A, Picayune thumped Hancock 52-20 and Hattiesburg dispatched Pascagoula 35-20. The Tigers will host the Maroon tide next week in the Class 6A South State title tilt.

It’s the end of an era in Hattiesburg tonight Y’all…as the game is expected to be the last for veteran Panther head coach Lewis Sims who will step down on Dec, 1st, after 15 years at the helm of the Panthers.

In Class 5A, Laurel nipped Stone on the road 24-21 with a field goal on the final play of the game. Laurel will travel to Brookhaven for the Class 5A South State championship game next week after the Panthers down Wayne County Friday night.
And in class 4A, Poplarville ripped McComb 55-20 and Columbia whipped Pass Christian 41-6. The Wildcats will host the Hornets next week in the Class 4A South State title contest.

Hornet standout junior running back Ty Keys finishes the night with 429 yards rushing and seven scores on 20 carries.