Ocean Springs football is making statement wins and ‘not slowing down anytime soon’
Ocean Springs has reached the midway point of its season as one of the hottest football teams in the state.
The Greyhounds (4-1) are heading into their bye week having rattled off four straight wins and just wrapped up a surprising 10-point victory at the home of reigning back-to-back state champs Picayune last Friday.
First-year head coach Jake Bramlett has his offense humming, despite replacing a Mr. Football award winner at quarterback and several skill position players.
It’s a near-total reset for a unit than Bramlett coached as offensive coordinator under previous head man Blake Pennock, but it hasn’t stopped OSHS from picking up exactly where it left off.
“The potential is as high as you want it to be,” Bramlett told the Sun Herald about his team. “We have all the pieces, we have a quarterback, we have a great offensive line, we have the skill positions, we have a really good defense... the potential is very high, but competing at this level in the state is tough week in and week out.”
The quarterback that has had no issues filling his own shoes in the post-Bray Hubbard era is Will “Dabo” Berglind. The senior has thrown for over 900 yards and nine touchdowns to just one interception.
Berglind led the Greyhounds to a pair of head-turning wins in the early season, beginning with the comeback win over Northwest Rankin and then the resounding victory over the Maroon Tide.
“Picayune I felt was a good statement game for us,” Berglind said. “We showed we are who we were last year. It’s good for us to go into district play with that big win. It gives us momentum. It shows the state who we are and that we’re a very good team.”
Three-headed threat
Bramlett’s crew is scoring 32 points a game through five contests and were only stymied once in the season-opening heartbreaker against Madison Central.
Encircling Berglind in the attack are running back Will Smith and receiver Bryhsen Smith.
Will Smith is in the midst of a strong redemption season after having a great start to 2022 cut short by injury. He’s up to three 100-yard rushing games this year and scored five touchdowns against Natchez.
His approach and play on the field has been reflective of his group’s attitude against one of the tougher schedules on the Coast.
“Those wins tell us we can really go and do something better than we did last year,” Will Smith said. Going into a lot of those games, we were an underdog... we’re just trying to show people that we’re still here.”
The connection between Berglind and converted safety Bryhsen Smith has also had a hugely positive effect on Bramlett’s offense.
Bryhsen has quickly developed a propensity for showing up in big moments. Of his 22 receptions, 15 of them came against Northwest Rankin and Picayune. The junior picked up over 150 yards in both contests.
“Bryhsen is an electric athlete,” Bramlett said. “He’s really good at getting open, great when the ball’s in the air. He’s able to create mismatches all over the field, whether it’s on corners, on safeties or on linebackers. We just have to be creative in finding him those one-on-one matchups.
“Will (Berglind) has a lot of confidence in him. He knows whenever Bryhsen’s number is called, it’s going to be something Bryhsen is going to have his back on. He’s going to be able to make the catch no matter where he puts the ball. The confidence that Will has in him I think makes that matchup go.”
Bryhsen has been Berglind’s top target through five games. Berglind describes Bryhsen as a “phenomenal athlete” with game-breaking potential.
“That’s my guy right there,” Bryhsen said of his quarterback. “I think our friendship and our connection is really good because we have that bond and he’s able to find me in tough situations.”
How far can the Greyhounds go?
No 6A Coast team has ever gone further in the playoffs than when the Greyhounds faced Brandon in the South State championship game a year ago.
Ocean Springs has played a stacked schedule ahead of district play with hopes of establishing itself as a contender in the new seventh classification.
“That’s where we wanted the schedule to take us,” Bramlett said. “For us to make those long playoff runs, you got to be able to beat teams like that and see where your program is early in the season.”
More than just providing experience, taking down other title contenders provides the Greyhounds the confidence they need ahead of district play.
Ocean Springs is defending two consecutive district championships in a region with Pennock’s Gulfport Admirals and a stout Harrison Central club.
“It’s kind of statement for us, letting the rest of the state know we’re coming and we’re not slowing down anytime soon,” Bryhsen Smith said. “We can go as far as we want to, really. As long we put the work in and do our jobs, I think there’s big things coming for us. Especially a state championship if we do what’s right.”
Ocean Springs opens district play on Oct. 6 at home against Biloxi.
