It’s been the honor of my life to anchor sports in my hometown at WXXV. But after seven years, it’s time for me to embrace a new challenge in life. To all of the coaches, players, parents and viewers, all I can say is sincerely, thank you. 280 characters ain’t enough for this one
DRAFTED: Auburn EDGE Derick Hall over the edge with emotion after being selected by the Seahawks in the 2nd round of the 2023
#NFLDraft
(No. 37 overall). The celebration is on for the former Gulfport Admiral, who’s soaking up this once in a lifetime moment in his hometown.
WATCH: Like something straight out of a movie, Auburn's Derick Hall watches himself get drafted by the Seattle Seahawks on the big screen at his own draft party. The Gulfport faithful behind him would fit in quite nicely with the 12th Man
@derick_hall9
/
@Seahawks
/
@AuburnFootball
DRAFTED: Auburn EDGE Derick Hall over the edge with emotion after being selected by the Seahawks in the 2nd round of the 2023
#NFLDraft
(No. 37 overall). The celebration is on for the former Gulfport Admiral, who’s soaking up this once in a lifetime moment in his hometown.
SIGNED: Picayune ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ RB Dante Dowdell stays true to Oregon on National Signing Day. 5A Mr. Football. US Army Bowl All-American. MS-AL All-Star. 2x 5A State Champion. 2x title game MVP. Time for a new challenge in Eugene for King Dante
(
@Locklyn33
)
WATCH: Pre-game tears turn to in-game dominance for Stone's Gehrig Conard, who throws a CG 2-hitter just 2 days after losing his father Kevin Conard - the school's AD and former baseball coach. His extra motivation? A text from Brett Favre
@StoneSports_T4L
@SportsCenter
#SCtop10
This is how we should all remember Z'Quavius "Zae" Crain. After his pick six against Harrison Central in 2018, Gulfport's (
@ghs_athletics
) Mr. Do-It-All WR/CB celebrated by grabbing my camera. And then flexing in it with a smile as infectious as they come.
Rest in peace
#17
Not many quarterbacks throw a prettier ball than Washington QB Michael Penix, Jr. This was the final throw of the entire early practice session on Day 1 of Senior Bowl week. Drops it right in the bucket to USC RB Marshawn Lloyd
Picayune's Dante Dowdell put on quite the production with the gloves before ultimately committing to Oregon over Ole Miss, Arkansas and Tennessee.
(
@DanteDowdell
/
@oregonfootball
)
After losing a game that could’ve sent Southern Miss to the College World Series, head coach Scott Berry still taking the time to sign autographs for kids. Really puts it all in perspective and pure class from the USM skipper
Southern Miss HC Scott Berry’s final postgame press conference.
“The most important thing is people will remember the person you were.”
He also shouts out a couple USM legends (
@Matt_Wallner
/
@nick_sandlin
).
For the record, we’ll remember all the wins, too.
(
@SouthernMissBSB
)
Former Southern Miss head football coach Todd Monken is a national champion.
Former Ole Miss head football coach and Gulfport native Matt Luke is a national champion.
And I think that's pretty cool
Big time QB talent at this year's Senior Bowl. One of the best throws of the morning coming from the left arm of Washington's Michael Penix, Jr. to UCF's Javon Baker
(
@SeanFazendeFOX8
)
WATCH: Today, Picayune head coach Dodd Lee got emotional when asked about this Thanksgiving South State championship week of football and family. Earlier this year, he lost his oldest daughter, Tabatha Lee Smith.
"I probably never had a bigger fan than her"
Touching stuff, man.
SOURCES: Southern Miss to hire Tulane offensive Coordinator Will Hall with the official announcement coming tomorrow. Thus ending the coaching search to replace Jay Hopson, with both Scotty Walden and Tim Billings having served as interim HC in his absence.
WATCH: Tonight, St. Martin High School (MS) was home to an amazing senior night moment for special needs student manager Ta'Vaughn Gregory. He dressed out with the Yellowjackets, was introduced in the starting 5, and scored the first 2 points of his career.
#SCTop10
@SportsCenter
Ole Miss is going to its first College World Series since 2014, and Pearl River Central alum Hayden Dunhurst is the one who started the dogpile.
(
@Hayden_Dunhurst
/
@PRCathletics
)
SIGNED: Ocean Springs ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ ATH Bray Hubbard making it official with the Alabama Crimson Tide on National Signing Day. Only 2x winner of 6A Mr. Football. MS-AL All-Star. Expected at safety in college but still one of the best high school quarterbacks to ever do it. Ever.
Just 2 days after the passing of Stone AD Kevin Conard, his son, Gehrig, is still taking the ball in a third round home playoff baseball game tomorrow. This is Brett Favre on Monday Night Football level emotional for the Tomcats and their ace. What an unreal scene it’s gonna be.
Gabe Shepard says it’s better to play for someone else other than yourself. His father passed away at a very young age, and now he has his name stitched into his glove. A Southern Miss no-hitter. I don’t want to speak for anyone else, but Tracy Shepard would have to be proud.
Here's a tribute to former Gulfport (
@ghs_athletics
) standout Zae Crain, the only Admirals player to score a touchdown on both offense and defense in 2018. By all accounts, he was truly as good of a person off the field as he was on it
#LLZ
WATCH: (and listen) Southern Miss running back Ito Smith (
@ItoSmith
) walking off the field for the last time wearing his Golden Eagle uniform, and sharing this exchange with USM AD Jon Gilbert. One of the best to ever do it for the Black and Gold
SIGNED: Gautier’s Kaden Irving making it official with Ole Miss baseball, having been committed to the Rebels since he was a freshman. Tied for 8th in MS in 2022 with 8 dingers, also a US Army All-American QB. That’ll play in Oxford
In today’s Guardians-Twins doubleheader:
Matt Wallner - 1st career HR (414 feet)
Nick Sandlin - 0.2 IP, 0 ER
Kirk McCarty - 3.0 IP, 0 ER, W (4-2)
This is a Southern Miss baseball Tweet.
@SouthernMissBSB
If you were wondering what Ocean Springs QB Bray Hubbard would look like wearing Crimson, wonder no more. Alabama signee on the 21st, now wearing No. 27 at the Sugar Bowl just 10 days later. What a month
SIGNED: Pascagoula’s Keilon Parnell letting the ink dry with Mississippi State on National Signing Day. He’s been committed to MSU since he was a freshman
BREAKING: The MGCCC Bulldogs are your 2019 NJCAA NATIONAL CHAMPIONS
They complete the perfect 12-0 season en route to their program's 5th national title and their first since 2007.
Poplarville's Austin Bolton is the CBS Player of the Game.
Chance Lovertich never lost at Perk.
A performance that will be etched in the Southern Miss baseball history books for years to come. GABE SHEPARD. Goes 7 and 1/3 innings. 12 strikeouts. NO HITS. A FRESHMAN. Absolutely unbelievable. He earned this standing ovation
East Central head man Seth Smith says Joe Moorhead called Brad Cumbest today, to which the 6’6” TE told Mississippi State’s new coach that he was still committed to
#stateteam18
WATCH: Mauricio “Momo” Montenegro, father to Gabe and Rodrigo, on what makes the Southern Miss baseball family so special to his family. The Guatemalan flag flies high in the Right Field Roost
(
@momo030468
/
@GabeMS_14
/
@poch34
)
ALL-AMERICAN OFFICIAL: Picayune ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ RB Dante Dowdell receiving his
@USArmyBowl
jersey. Oregon commit. 5A Mr. Football. State title game MVP. MaxPreps Player of the Year. MS-AL All-Star. Now an All-American. What a year for
#2
(
@Locklyn33
/
@PMHS_Athletics1
)
3 years ago today: John Rhys Plumlee's video game touchdown run with Oak Grove @ Petal. And then a bonus TD run from the Hattiesburg Hurdler that same season.
Good time to relive it fresh off his first-ever start at Ole Miss (
@PlumleeJohn
/
@OleMissFB
/
@ogwarriorsfb
/
@CoachCausey66
)
Mississippi State alum Ethan Small in 4 June starts with the Biloxi Shuckers:
24.1 IP, 11 H, 8 BB, 1 ER, 0.37 ERA, 0.78 WHIP
Oh, and 40 STRIKEOUTS
Shouldn't be a surprise, the Oma-Dawgs won 6 of his 7 postseason starts from 2018-19, also in the month of June.
WATCH: Picayune RB Dante Dowdell commits to Oregon over 3 SEC schools in a suspenseful glove reveal
"They treated me like a king up there. They said King Dante to Eugene. The King to Eugene. So hey, I like that."
@DanteDowdell
/
@oregonfootball
FULL LINK:
I mean either cover your team or don’t but just a plain lousy and entitled take that it’s somehow the NCAA’s fault that Southern Miss has the better resume
Looks like I won’t be covering the
#Vols
baseball Super Regional in person.
Only seating option I have is one with no view of the field. I’ll sit anywhere without complaint, but you can’t cover what you can’t see.
Super great decision on the site, NCAA. You’re such a damn joke.
BREAKING: Pass Christian native Cory McGee (
@CoryMcGeeRuns
) is heading to the Olympic Games for the very first time, running a 4:00.67 in the 1500M dash - good for 2nd place in the trials. Race of her life, and now she's heading to Tokyo.
A personal share:
Yesterday was the 1-year anniversary of my Dad's passing. My attempts at taking a personal day off work were met by Hurricane Delta moving every high school football game to Thursday, so I used the opportunity to give him a proper on-air tribute.
Love you, Dad
Yankees RHP and Mississippi State alum Jonathan Holder says he had a really good day with his slider during an offseason bullpen back at his old stomping grounds of Gulfport High School
(
@Jholder14
/
@ghs_athletics
)
From Hattiesburg to the Land of 10,000 Lakes, a long way from where it all started. Appreciate Southern Miss all-time leading passer
@NickMullens
taking a minute to catch up pregame before Saints-Vikings
WATCH: Raleigh LB Suntarine Perkins (Ole Miss commit) was literally everywhere in the MS/AL All-Star Game, leading the 'Sip Boys with 10 total tackles. The closing speed is elite
(
@suntarine
/
@Lane_Kiffin
/
@MacCorleone74
/
@RivalsNick
)
OFFICIAL: George County ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ MJ Daniels signs with Ole Miss, choosing the Rebels over the other two helmets on the table, Mississippi State and Texas A&M. He was committed to the Rebels prior to Mississippi State, and he flipped back.
@MjDaniels11
@OleMissFB
@bshields0244
Wish I could’ve been there to accept this in person, but surely they can’t be *too* mad at the sports guy for picking the Final Four instead. I’m so humbled and so thankful. Best day of my professional career no doubt
WATCH: Frank Gore, Jr. (
@stn_2lit
) was simply unstoppable in his other-worldly Lending Tree Bowl performance, racking up 329 yards and 2 TDs (2-3, 19 yards, 1 TD passing) as Game MVP, breaking both the school record & NCAA FBS bowl game record.
(
@USMGoldenEagles
/
@SouthernMissFB
)
OFFICIAL: D’Iberville ⭐️⭐️⭐️ Justin “Snoop” Walley is a Minnesota Golden Gopher, and he’s getting the perfect cold weather practice at today’s outdoor signing. Mr. Football for Class 6A led the Warriors to the first perfect regular season (9-0) in Region 4 history.
For the second year in a row, George County High School is home to an All-American Bowl jersey recipient. McKinnley Jackson in 2019, and now MJ Daniels in 2020. The ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ recruit is committed to Mississippi State
SIGNED: Moss Point ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ DL Jamarious Brown letting the ink dry with Ole Miss on National Signing Day. Top 6 recruit in MS according to 247 Sports and ESPN. Mississippi-Alabama All-Star Game selection. Played both sides of the ball as a senior. Big get for the Rebels
SIGNING DAY: George County’s Marquez “Mojo” Dortch (⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️) and Ashton Hollins (⭐️⭐️⭐️) ink with Mississippi State and Illinois, respectively. That makes 6 Division I signees in the last 6 years for GCHS. Unreal talent factory
Special embrace between Southern Miss HC Scott Berry & 6-year OF Gabe Montenegro, who just played his final game at USM. He's the all-time leader in games played, singles and at-bats. He ranks second in hits and third and runs scored. Take a bow, sir.
@SouthernMissBSB
/
@GabeMS_14
From what I hear, the punctuation mark on Gehrig Conard’s CG shutout just 2 days after losing his Father was an IMMACULATE INNING. 9 pitches, 9 strikes, 3 K, all swinging. Gassing it by hitters at 91 when he had been high 80’s all year. I’m running out of words
@StoneSports_T4L
One of the coolest scenes I’ve ever witnessed. Gehrig Conrad lost his father a couple of days ago, tonight in the 3rd round of the state playoffs he absolutely dealt! With two strikes his teammates gave him a hug and then he unleashed a 91 mph fastball.
@StoneSports_T4L
🙏🏻
Southern Miss has won 23 of its last 26 games. SBC Tournament champs. Now Auburn Regional champs.
Still insane to me that USM wasn't given the chance to host the first time, and it would be even more insane to rob Coach Berry of the home sendoff he so rightfully deserves again.
WATCH: In all his years at Southern Miss, redshirt senior TE Cole Cavallo says he's never done a postgame interview, and yet here he is at Sun Belt Media Days giving an incredible answer regarding his pride for USM, dating all the way back to 2005.
(
@SouthernMissFB
/
@CavalloCole
)
WATCH: Christmas came a week early for Southern Miss HC Will Hall (
@Coach_Hall7
) and the rest of the Golden Eagles, who made sure to give their second-year head man a full scale ice bath after leading USM to its first bowl game win since 2016.
(
@USMGoldenEagles
/
@SouthernMissFB
)
WATCH: Southern Miss WR Jason Brownlee (
@Slideweezy
) showing the Rice Owls what he thought about their double teams all night, hauling in 3 receptions for 72 yards and a touchdown on his way to winning Lending Tree Bowl Offensive MVP honors.
(
@USMGoldenEagles
/
@SouthernMissFB
)
WATCH: Moss Point DL Jamarious Brown signs with Ole Miss
"I'm just thankful and ready to get started. They just said I was a dog. They're just like family, man. You get up there. They treat you just like at home."
@OfficialJB16
/
@MPAthletics_
/
@91Geno22USM
/
@OleMissFB
/
@Lane_Kiffin
FINAL: Tennessee 5, Southern Miss 0
Omaha will have to wait for at least another year for USM, finishing one win away from the College World Series.
On a personal note, I’d like to say thank you, 40. It’s been an absolute pleasure covering your teams.
USM ends the year 46-20.
Hurricane Zeta is no joke. Flying debris from this Category 2 hurricane shattered the driver’s side front window of the
@WXXV25
news car before pressure blew out the back window.
@BrantlyWx
and I were very lucky to find cover shortly after.
@spann
@StormHour
Southern Miss head men’s basketball coach Jay Ladner more comfortable shooting a baseball these days, but the former dual-sport athlete at USM under Hill Denson still delivered a first pitch strike at tonight’s Biloxi Shuckers game.
MJ Daniels is going to be playing football and baseball for Ole Miss. He graduates tomorrow and will be practicing for the Rebels’ bowl game with the team starting Monday
As fate would have it, Brett Favre ended up texting Gehrig Conard some words of encouragement leading up to tonight’s game. He also changed his walk-up song to See You Again.
Chills.
Just 2 days after the passing of Stone AD Kevin Conard, his son, Gehrig, is still taking the ball in a third round home playoff baseball game tomorrow. This is Brett Favre on Monday Night Football level emotional for the Tomcats and their ace. What an unreal scene it’s gonna be.
BREAKING: Blake Pennock is leaving Ocean Springs to become the next head coach at Gulfport in place of John Archie. In 2022, Pennock led the Greyhounds to South State for the first time in 13 years with an incredible 3-year mark of 32-5 (19-2). Powerhouse hire for
@ghs_athletics
Doubling down on my Tweet yesterday, Southern Miss HC Scott Berry signing more autographs immediately after the final game of his career, one win away from the College World Series. He even gave away his NCAA jersey patch to a young fan. It’s hard to explain what he means to USM.
Tulane head football coach Jon Sumrall shares his philosophy on recruiting and the NIL collective at today's National Signing Day presser.
"If a guy walks in and the first question he asks from me is collective NIL, the number, I'm pretty much out."
At
@WXXV25
, we take a lot of pride in our high school football coverage, especially when it comes to 25 Teams in 25 Days. Getting to know what drives each and every team on the Gulf Coast, and then watching it unfold all season long. I've gotta say, it's award-winning stuff!
This week, USM became the state’s first major university to offer alcohol sales to the general public at football games.
“To show that we’re not afraid to step out and lead the way on some things I think is really important.” -Southern Miss AD Jeremy McClain
Saints comeback from 15 down to get it done in OVERTIME, 34-31 over the Redskins. That’s 8 in a row for Who Dat Nation, matching its longest winning streak since 2011.
From what I'm reading on Twitter, Ocean Springs (
@OSHS_Greyhounds
) senior kicker Kaylee Foster (
@_kayleefoster
) won homecoming queen tonight. She then threw on the pads, kicked two field goals, as well as the game-winning extra point in overtime. That's freaking incredible man
WATCH: After setting a school record with 50 wins in 2017, the Southern Miss baseball program (
@USMGoldenEagles
/
@SouthernMissBSB
) comes into 2018 riding a championship wave of momentum.
Ocean Springs QB Bray Hubbard has been named Mr. Football for Class 6A. On top of the Southern Miss baseball commit leading OS (10-0) to its first playoff win in 7 years, his stats are wicked stupid:
69% passing
2,007 yards passing
30 TD passing
1,071 yards rushing
20 TD rushing
WATCH (Part I): Brothers Tim & Danny Lynch left their mark all over the last decade of Southern Miss baseball, propelling the program to 7 straight Regionals - and then some - and they both did it wearing number 26.
(
@SouthernMissBSB
/
@TimLynch26
/
@DJ_Lynch26
)
FULL LINK BELOW:
On Monday, Southern Miss Senior third baseman Danny Lynch played his final game in a black and gold uniform more than 10 years after his older brother, Tim Lynch, played his first.