By CURTIS ROCKWELL/Sports Director

OCEAN SPRINGS — In the 18-year history as a football program, West Harrison has never qualified for the state playoffs.

On the other hand, in that same span, beginning in 2009, Ocean Springs has played 22 playoff games, including playing for three South State championships, while earning postseason berths 15-out-of the last 16 years.

However, the landscape may be changing after Friday night.

The visiting Hurricanes blew into Greyhound Stadium and stunned home-standing Ocean Springs 28-17 in a key Region 4-7A game Friday night. Not only did it mark the first win ever for West Harrison over OSHS, but it also puts the winning team in prime position to grab that elusive first-ever state playoff berth also.

In addition, it severely hampers Ocean Springs’ efforts of gaining a postseason spot for the 11th straight season as well as the 21st time in the past 22 seasons.

West Harrison is now 4-5 overall and 2-3 in the region race, and OSHS drops to 2-6 overall and 1-3 in league play.

The Hurricanes overcame a 10-0 halftime deficit with 28 straight unanswered points, including three touchdowns in the third frame by running back Nayshawn Crawford.

Saddled with that 10-0 deficit as the second half opened, Crawford raced 61 yards for to put the visitors on the scoreboard and pull within three at 10-7 less than two minutes into the third quarter.

West Harrison took its first lead of the game just 90 seconds later, when Crawford ripped off a 27-yard run and then a 6-yard scoring dash to make it 14-10 at the 8:39 mark.

That score was set up thanks to an interception by Hurricane defender Bryant Comer.

And, the crafty junior Crawford wasn’t done yet as he sprinted 56-yards with just 1:10 left in the frame and suddenly his Hurricanes were up 21-10 thanks to the third extra point of the period by Roemer Harrison.

As the final quarter unfolded, the West Harrison defense joined in the fun again as Floyd McCray picked off a pass from OSHS quarterback Chalmers Berglind and scooted 51-yards for a touchdown to complete the 28-point unanswered streak.

Berglind hit Logan Carter with a 4-yard touchdown toss late in the game to complete the scoring.

Berglind also help give the home team that 10-0 lead, when he found Elmore Wonsley, Jr., on a 47-yard flea flicker to give OSHS a 7-0 lead.

Greyhound placekicker Evan Ta also booted a 36-yard field goal in the second quarter.

AA win over Biloxi next week would clinch a state playoff berth for WHHS.