GULFPORT -- Gulfport came within 12 yards of pulling out a dramatic victory over Oak Grove.
Admirals wide receiver Javon Floyd dropped a touchdown pass in the end zone as time expired as the unbeaten Warriors prevailed 25-20 on Friday night at Milner Stadium.
Kirk McCarty's 60-yard touchdown pass to Johnathan McNair with 2:28 left to play was the game-winner for Oak Grove, who has Brett Favre as one of its offensive playcallers. The Warriors failed to convert the two-point try. "It's a special win because we fought back," Warriors coach Nevil Barr said. "We'll remember this one for a long time." The Admirals (1-3) had one chance to pull out a victory, recovering a Warriors fumble near midfield with 1:06 left. Two pass interference penalties helped put the ball at Oak Grove's 12, setting up a thrilling finish. "We got our feelings hurt tonight," Admirals coach Mike Justice said. "I'm proud of the way we played. We played hard and we played well. We'll go back to work on Monday and get ready for Region 4-6A play against St. Martin." Fullback Christian Williams was solid in defeat for the Admirals, rushing for 135 yards and a touchdown. Quarterback Chandler Malley was 13-of-23 for 157 and a TD, while running for another. Oak Grove (4-0) took a 7-0 lead on McCarty's 64-yard touchdown pass to Jordan Mitchell. The Admirals tied the game at 7-all on Malley's three yard TD run. Early in the second quarter, Gulfport grabbed a 14-7 lead on Malley's 28-yard touchdown pass to Floyd. With seven seconds left before halftime, McCarty and Picasso Nelson Jr. connected on a 56-yard TD strike. Guy Stallworth blocked the extra point, keeping the Admirals up by one at intermission. Oak Grove caught fire in the second half, as McCarty threw a 7-yard TD pass to Nelson for a 19-14 Warriors advantage. A two-point conversion attempt failed. The Warriors had a chance to increase their lead late in the third quarter, but McCarty was was hit for a 3-yard loss on fourth-and-eight at Gulfport's 35. Gulfport regained the lead on Williams' 1-yard run. John Addison Ford intercepted Malley's two-point conversion attempt. Oak Grove passed for 334 yards. McCarty was 15-of-22 for 240 yards and three TDs. Nelson had five receptions for 156 yards and two scores.
