By Maurice Singleton/Sports Writer

GULFPORT – The Biloxi Indians (3-6, 2-3 region) scored two late second quarter touchdowns to take a two-score lead over West Harrison (4-6, 2-3 region) going into halftime, and that lead proved insurmountable as Biloxi would go on to win 38-22 on Friday night.

The win keeps the state playoff hopes alive for the Indians, and also ensures that the Hurricanes will not make the playoffs for the first time in school history.

Biloxi and the Hurricanes traded fumble recoveries early in the second quarter with Biloxi fumbling first as West Harrison recovered. But on West Harrison’s first snap following the Biloxi fumble, the Hurricanes would fumble and Biloxi would recover, giving them excellent field position at the West Harrison 34-yard line.

Biloxi would run the ball on seven consecutive plays with Marquez Metcalfe carrying on three of the snaps, including the seventh for a four-yard touchdown to cap the drive to give the Indians a 14-7 lead with just over four minutes remaining on the second quarter clock.

Junior running back Liam Richards picked up the bulk of the yardage on that drive with two carries for 8 and twelve yards.

West Harrison picked up a first down on their ensuing possession, but they faced a fourth and long and were forced to punt.

A personal foul against Biloxi backed the Indians up to their own 13-yard line with just over a minute to play before halftime. And after a 13-yard Metcalfe run, the Indians went to work with their passing game as Jordan Ramsey completed three of three passes to Davie Griffin for gains of 18 and 13 yards before connecting with the senior receiver for a 10-yard score.

“Our kids responded there at the four-minute mark,” said Biloxi head coach Eric Collier. “That’s something that we talk about. At the end of the second quarter and the fourth quarters, we want to take control of those situations, and our kids did that tonight.

“I am proud for our kids more than anything else. We push the fire out of these kids, and they’ve never quit, and they’ve always responded. So, seeing these kids win – I have all the respect in the world for these kids.”

West Harrison opened the second half with a 10-play 65-yard scoring drive, highlighted by a fake punt with junior quarterback Kaylon Costict taking the snap and picking up 27 yards to the Biloxi 21-yard line. Austin McInnis would score on a 5-yard carry and the Hurricanes were within seven at 21-14.

But Biloxi would respond with a 60-yard 10-play scoring drive as a bulk of the drive came off of two Ramsey completions, a 17-yard pass play to Anthony Lewis and a 33-yard completion to Ian Harlan. Metcalfe would carry five times on the drive, capping the drive with a 2-yard score, giving the Indians a 28-14 lead.

Biloxi’s defense would step it up a notch on the Hurricane’s ensuing possession as they sacked Costict on consecutive plays for losses of 7 and 6 yards, forcing the Hurricanes to punt from their own 14-yard line.

Biloxi fielded the punt at West Harrison’s 43-yard line. Biloxi would only need four snaps to extend their lead, including two pass plays to Lewis, the first a 26-yarder, then two plays later a 14-yard scoring toss. Biloxi would take a 35-14 lead with just over eleven minutes to play.

Biloxi put together another scoring drive midway through the fourth quarter, advancing the ball to the West Harrison 24-yard line. Cayden Einhaus would cap the drive with a 41-yard field goal to close out Biloxi’s scoring with a 38-14 lead. Einhaus was also successful on five of five point-after kicks on the night.

West Harrison put together an 8-play scoring drive capped by a 38-yard Jarheem Reese carry, followed by a successful 2-point conversion carry by Reese with 1:56 left on the game clock.

“We’re always going to battle,” said Hurricanes’ coach Quincy Patrick of his team’s second half performance. That’s a testament to our kids and our assistant coaches.”

The loss brings the Hurricanes season to an end, eliminating them from the playoffs.

“The kids are hurting, and I’m hurting for them,” said Patrick.