Our newest school spotlight is covering the Gulfport High School Admirals out of Gulfport, Mississippi. The Admirals will be moving into the newly established 7A class in region 4. Gulfport has been a contender as of late making the playoffs 7 out of the last 8 seasons. The Admirals have a new Head Coach going into the next season, Coach Blake Pennock the former Head Coach of Ocean Springs High School. Coach Pennock says that, “Gulfport is right there and the team is ready to take the next step into the playoffs.”
New Head Coach Blake Pennock is very familiar with the Gulf Coast area as he has been within many of the high school programs in the area for the past couple of decades. He initially started at Ocean Springs as an assistant and bounced around as an assistant at Oak Grove, Clinton, and Madison Central. He then went on to coach at Southern Miss for a stint before taking on a Head Coaching role at Pass Christian High School, next back to Ocean Springs as the Head Coach for the last 3 seasons. Eventually finding his new role as the Head Coach for the Admirals this upcoming season.
What is your philosophy when it comes to coaching?
“I want to build quality young adults, I try to teach my athletes to take accountability for themselves and those around them. I am trying to mold them into quality members of the community and teach them how to make the right decisions on and off the field.”
Offensively, the Admirals are going to be a fast paced, no huddle, tempo offense. They want to spread the field and will be utilizing a heavy inside zone running attack. Passing wise it is going to be a vertical attack. Defensively, it will be a 3 man front that is going to come after offenses with good angles, and strong tackling.
On the defensive side of the ball the Admirals have some big star power, starting with 6’3 295 LBS Nose Tackle Kai McClendon, he has had a great offseason and is poised for a great senior season. Next is a pair of cover corners in Damon Felder and Prince Cottonham who are shutdown guys that can run with anyone on the field.
Going to the offense, new starting Quarterback Nico Williams who stands at 6’5 200 LBS. Nico has played other positions for the Admirals but is in a great spot to succeed this next season. Another player is wide receiver Cam Joseph who was the Admirals leading receiver last season, he should repeat that feat and do even more in the fall. Next we have the anchor of the offensive line Center Isaiah Morgan who has been a 3 year starter for the Admirals. He stands at 6’2 290 LBS, and will be a big reason for the success of the run game in the upcoming season.
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