25 teams in 25 days: Gulfport Admirals

Stop number nine of this years 25 teams in 25 days takes us to Harrison county as today’s team looks to build off of what was built last season, and improve in areas to take them to the top. Today, we meet the Gulfport Admirals who are led by head coach Blake Pennock.

The Gulfport Admirals finished last season 6-5, including 4-1 in district play. Their 2023 campaign came to an end in the playoffs against Pearl, where they were defeated 17-13. Three of the Admirals five losses were one possession games. While that is a tough pill to swallow when looking back at last season, head coach Blake Pennock has his sights set on the upcoming year and how his team can be better.

“Well, it is different,” coach Pennock said. “You know, our schedule doesn’t get any easier. We play really difficult teams, obviously and you know you got to do the little things right. We had leads in all of those games and let it go right there at the end. It’s all about making that final play to kind of get over the hump. We are close, but I mean, when you are playing teams like that are going to compete for south state and state championships, they are not going to give you anything and they are going to do things the right way. That is kind of where we are. First year in the program last year – some things kind of hit and miss right there – super talented team but just couldn’t get over the hump. This year we are looking forward and our guys have really jumped in, they do the right things, they truly are above the line. Getting to that point of it is the next hurdle.”

Because of last season, this years senior class has a sour taste in their mouth and a massive chip on their shoulder. Senior Krisjeohn Burks and junior Pierre Felder spoke on just how big that chip s heading into a new year.

“I feel like it is a very big one,” Burks said. “It’s a goal that we have to all come to together as a team. Just tackle it all together, I mean, it is not a very hard goal. It’s just everyone coming together and getting on the same mindset.”

“It’s there, I mean, we are right there,” Felder said. “So yeah, I am very excited to get started. Ready to play these teams, these rivals, and really looking forward to the playoffs.”

The goal that Burks says isn’t very hard is being the last team standing at the end of the year. The rivals that Felder spoke about may just be the one team standing in the way of those goals coming to life – the Ocean Springs Greyhounds. Burks and Felder spoke about what matchup they are looking forward to most this year, and why it is the Greyhounds.

“Ocean Springs, Ocean Springs, Oceans Springs, Ocean Springs,” Felder said.

“I’d say out of all them, Ocean Springs,” Burks said. “Mainly because, you know, just competition in this district. They are our competition. Not just solely that, we have the man in charge in coach Pennock it is kind of a big deal.”

Pennock, who is in his 2nd season at Gulfport high school, was previously the head coach of Ocean Springs. He says the reason the Greyhounds are circled on the schedule is because to be at the top, you have to beat whoever currently resides there.

“Everybody knows that is where I came from,” coach Pennock said. “I was the head coach there and, obviously it is a big game. They have had a really good amount of success over the last several years. Gulfport has kind of always had that success and you want to try and get back to that. Right now they are the team to beat and they are not going to give it away so that is obviously a big game that we have circled on our calendar.”

Now we may have to wait until November 1st to see the Admirals take on the Greyhounds, Gulfport’s week 1 matchup will be August 30th against Greenville Christian.