Sun Herald: Ocean Springs, Gulfport headline All-Region 4-7A high school football team
Ocean Springs claimed its third consecutive district title under first-year head coach Jake Bramlett and fittingly swept the Coach and Player of the Year honors for the region. The Greyhounds led the district with 13 All-MVP selections and eight First-Team picks from a team that finished the season at 9-2.
Gulfport followed with nine All-MVP picks and seven First-Team representatives from an Admirals team that won nine games for the first time since 2019.
COACH OF THE YEAR: Jake Bramlett, Ocean Springs
Bramlett’s first year at the helm of the ship he previously served as offensive coordinator on was a success. Despite overhauling the staff and replacing two-time Mr. Football winner Bray Hubbard, the Greyhounds held on to their throne at the top of the region.
PLAYER OF THE YEAR: Talan Carter, Ocean Springs
Carter was a one-man wrecking crew in the middle of the Greyhound defense. The defensive tackle recorded 45 tackles, 16 tackles for loss and snatched his first-career interception against Gulfport. Carter anchored a defense that allowed just 10.8 points per district game. The senior will be on roster for the Mississippi-Alabama All Star game.
OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR: Will Smith, Ocean Springs
Smith had his sophomore season cut short, but made up for it and then some as a junior. Smith carried the ball for a career-high 1,268 yards and found the end zone 20 total times, 18 of which came on the ground.
DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR: Trace Carter, Ocean Springs
Carter was a frequent visitor of his opponent’s backfield, racking up 62 total stops and 25 tackles for loss. The senior registered a career-high seven sacks and is holding on to nine Division I offers.
ALL-MVP OFFENSE
QB Will Berglind, Ocean Springs RB Kevin Rogers, D’Iberville RB Jaylan Johnson, Biloxi WR Tristan Haynes, Biloxi WR Cam Joseph, Gulfport WR Bryhsen Smith, Ocean Springs WR Tyree Barnett, Harrison Central WR Noreel White, St. Martin WR Andre Crosby, D’Iberville TE/H-Back Jamel Rothschild, D’Iberville TE/H-back Asher Faesar, Ocean Springs ATH Jalen Anderson, Biloxi OL Davone Bailey, Harrison Central OL Caleb Gollott, D’Iberville OL Zaylin Dedeaux, Ocean Springs OL Drew Elliott, Ocean Springs OL Sean McGill, Gulfport OL Hubert Broadnax, Gulfport ST POY Jaquain Payton, Gulfport Returner Prince Cottonham, Gulfport
ALL-MVP DEFENSE
DL Nick Strickland, Harrison Central DL Isaiah Ladnier, D’Iberville DL Lamar Vaxter, Ocean Springs DL Kai McClendon, Gulfport DL Caleb Estrada, St. Martin DL Alfredo Mejais, Biloxi LB Eric Moore Jr, Ocean Springs LB Boone Wilson, Harrison Central LB Landon Pettis, Gulfport LB Kenderek Weathers, Ocean Springs DB Damon Felder, Gulfport DB Christian Bingham, Ocean Springs DB Kristian Dillard, Ocean Springs DB Bryce Hooker, Biloxi DB Darrion Perkins, Biloxi DB Tre’Von Deans, Harrison Central P Tristan Bourcy, Biloxi
FIRST TEAM SELECTIONS
Ocean Springs
DL Bryant Ausmer
DL Jaden Briscoe
DB Nazir Keeno
WR Wyatt Finlay
WR Isaiah Sinclair
WR Nolan Wells
OL Shane Toler
K Peyton Williams
Gulfport
QB Nico Williams
WR Bishop McGruder
WR Gavin Brown
OL Isaiah Morgan
DL Kadarrius Reed
LB Trey Peters
RB Cooper Crosby
Biloxi
QB Zach Marlin
ATH William Lai
LB Jaquan Thompson
DL Jayce Cummings
LB Coleman Gazzo
DL Ah’Zerrius Butler
Harrison Central
QB Tri Gaughf
LB Marlos Walker
DL Jaiden Miller
OL John McCorvey
DL Anterious Dixon
D’Iberville
DL Shannon Donaldson
LB Malcolm Gowdy
DL CC Cooper
OL Jarimyah Owens
St. Martin
LB Noel Estrada
LB Gavin Allen
WR Monclair Brave
