GULFPORT — With the season on the line, Gulfport relied on football basics against Natchez Friday in the first round of the 6A South State playoffs at Milner Stadium.

The Admirals rallied from a first-half deficit to beat the Bulldogs 38-27, ending Natchez’s season.

The Admirals jumped out to a 17-0 lead early in the second quarter.

Natchez, however, rallied to take a 21-17 halftime lead behind the play of quarterback Javon Washington and its spread offense.

At the 8:56 mark of the second quarter, Washington capped off a 71-yard drive with a 12-yard scoring run.

On its next possession, Natchez cut the lead to 14-10 on a 26-yard touchdown pass from Washington to Jeremy Davis.

After forcing a Gulfport punt, the Bulldogs needed two plays to take a 21-17 lead on a 55-yard scoring pass from Washington to Damion Williams with 53 seconds left in the half.

Despite trailing, Gulfport coach Mike Justice supported his team as they made the way to the locker room.

“I said nothing to them at halftime,” Justice said. “You do not holler and scream. That does no good. All we did was make basic adjustments. And we made some good adjustments, too. We looked better and won the game in the third quarter.

The adjustments, at least on defense, was to take to swing pass away from the Bulldogs offense.

The Admirals’ offense controlled the line of scrimmage in the second half. The Admirals scored 10 points in the third quarter, taking a commanding 31-21 lead.

The Admirals’ scoring drive of 67 yards allowed them to take a 24-21 lead on a 55-yard touchdown pass from Dennis Robertson to Travon Travis.

Gulfport padded its lead to 31-21 with a 5-yard pass from Robertson to Travis. The score came on fourth and goal at the Bulldogs 5-yard line.

In comparison, Natchez did not have a first down in the third quarter.

“We dominated play in the third quarter,” Justice said.

Gulfport put the game away with a 65-yard scoring pass from Robertson to Travis. The Robertson to Travis scoring plays covered a total of 145 yards.

Natchez, which scored late, had four second half punts.

“We beat a very good team,” Justice said. “But our kids wanted it. This was a gratifying win.”