The Pearl Pirates and Gulfport Admirals will square off in the first round of the 2023 Mississippi (MHSAA) 7A Football Championships on Friday, November 10, 2023 at 7pm ET at Milner Stadium in Gulfport, Mississippi.

What it is: Mississippi High School Football
Matchup: Pearl Pirates vs. Gulfport Admirals
Time: Friday Nov 10, 2023, 7pm ET
Game Type: Playoffs
Bracket: 2023 Mississippi (MHSAA) 7A Football Championships
Round: First Round
Locations: Milner Stadium – Gulfport, MS
Live stream: Watch here

The Pirates enter the playoffs with a 7-3 record, while the Admirals have a 6-4 record. Pearl is ranked 7th in the division, while Gulfport is ranked 8th. In the state rankings, Pearl is ranked 13th and Gulfport is ranked 16th.

Pearl has a balanced offense that averages 28.3 points per game. The Pirates are led by senior quarterback Isaac Johnson, who has thrown for over 1,200 yards and 15 touchdowns this season. Johnson also has a solid rushing attack, as he has rushed for over 400 yards and five touchdowns.

Gulfport has a more explosive offense, averaging 35.1 points per game. The Admirals are led by senior running back David Miller, who has rushed for over 1,000 yards and 15 touchdowns this season. Gulfport also has a dangerous passing game, led by senior quarterback Matthew Schuette, who has thrown for over 1,500 yards and 20 touchdowns.

Both teams have good defenses, but Pearl has the better unit. The Pirates have allowed just 16.9 points per game this season, while Gulfport has allowed 22.8 points per game.

This is a close matchup between two evenly matched teams. Pearl has the better defense, but Gulfport has the better offense. Ultimately, the game will likely come down to a few key plays.

Prediction: Pearl Pirates 28, Gulfport Admirals 24

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