By CURTIS ROCKWELL/Sports Director

By Curtis Rockwell/Sports Director

GULFPORT — The championship game in Region 4-7A is this week’s “Smith Group Realty Homefield Advantage” Game of the Week for SouthMiss6 Sports.

Each week during the prep football season, SouthMiss6 Sports will feature a “GOTW” sponsored by The Smith Group Realty, your “Homefield Advantage” for buying and selling real estate in South Mississippi.

Gulfport hosts D’Iberville Friday night to decide the Region 4-7A champion. The defending Class 7A state champ Admirals come in at 7-1 overall and the Warriors are 8-0. Both teams sit atop the region race at 4-0.

Gulfport is taking aim on its second straight title for the first time in seven years, and an exciting 38-35 road win over the Warriors last year gave GHS its first league title since 2019.

Ironically enough, a D’Iberville win this week would mean the Warriors would take their first region title in six years also, since 2020.

Even though this all-time series dates back 38 years to 1988, this is just the 18th meeting on the football field between the two teams. Gulfport has a commanding 12-6 lead, and the Admirals have won four straight and seven out of the last nine games over DHS.

“We’re excited!” Gulfport head coach Blake Pennock said, Wednesday afternoon before practice. “We’re looking forward to the challenge obviously. We’ve been in this situation several years in a row having this week be for the region title, so our guys have some comfort in that expectation. They’re an undefeated team with one of the best players in Mississippi as their quarterback, so we will have our hands full.”

Pennock was referring to D’Iberville standout senior signal-caller Jordan Walley. The Minnesota commit is closing in on 2,000 yards of total offense this seasons, and he has accounted for 26 total touchdowns (13 on the ground and 13 through the air).

However, he’ll be facing one of, if not the, top defensive unit in the state when the Admirals line up across the line of scrimmage Friday night. Gulfport has limited the opposition to seven or fewer points in six out of eight outings this season, with one other contest allowing just 14 points.

But, the lone loss for the Admirals in the past 18 games was a 40-39 overtime loss to Petal six weeks ago.

Led by a team passionate about providing clients with a positive, personalized real estate experience, The Smith Group Realty brings years of knowledge, experience, and dedication to helping families and individuals find their perfect home.

“At the Smith Realty group, we believe buying or selling a house should be a positive, personal experience. With knowledge, compassion and dedication, we’re here to guide you ever step of the way, helping you to feel right at home every step of the way.

You always have the Homefield Advantage with The Smith Realty Group!”