Biloxi’s ‘historic’ season ends with loss to state power in 7A championship game
Biloxi crashed the party and gave the reigning champs all it could handle for 80 minutes.
The Indians entered championship weekend as the Cinderella of Jackson, but would lose the 7A state championship game to Madison Central, 2-0.
The Jaguars broke a long scoreless tie early in the second half with a goal from Meridian C.C. commit Carson Pentecost. Madison Central tacked on one more for insurance in the 65th minute via Tanner Nichols.
It ended a stunning run by Biloxi, who beat Ocean Springs and Gulfport in bracket play on its way to winning the program’s first-ever South State after finishing third in its own region.
“It’s historic, it’s the first time we even made it to South State and beaten a team like Ocean Springs that’s been there so many times,” head coach Glenn Hopkins said after the game. “Watching our guys understand that, prepare for that and be able to overcome all obstacles throughout the year, and we’ve put it together the last three games. That’s what makes me proud.”
The run began with a 2-0 upset win over Oak Grove in the first round. Biloxi then met the Admirals, who had beaten the Indians twice in the regular season, and stole a 1-0 double overtime win.
The South State championship came against the Greyhounds, who also swept the Indians in the regular season while holding them to one goal in two games.
Biloxi scored three times and held Ocean Springs to two in the semifinal win.
The loss ends the season, but doesn’t end the story for Hopkins’ Indians.
“Let’s learn from this,” Hopkins said. “Obviously, Madison Central is one of the great programs in the state of Mississippi. Well deserved, they earned this. They are the best team in the state of Mississippi, they showed it tonight. Now can we learn something from that? How can we get better from that for our young guys.”
The Mississippi Coast sent seven teams to state championships and got titles from the St. Patrick boys and girls teams. The Bay High boys, George County boys, East Central girls and Long Beach girls all lost on Saturday.
