GULF SHORES — Mary G. Montgomery spoiled Gulf Shores’ home opener Friday, holding off the Dolphins 22-19 in the Gulf Coast Media Game of the Week.

The week two matchup was the first game played on the new turf field at Mickey Miller Blackwell Stadium.

“We have one heck of a football team,” Gulf Shores head coach Mark Hudspeth told his players after the loss. “That team right there [MGM], they’re going to go deep in the playoffs. They’ll win 11 games this year — you battled. I cannot ask for any more effort from you guys.”

Elijah Malone set the tone early for the Dolphins, returning the opening kick well past midfield that eventually led to a Carter Davis screen-pass touchdown on the first play from scrimmage. Dwayne "Joc" Prince then picked off Viking quarterback Jeremy Menhennet on the opening MGM drive, swinging all of the momentum in Gulf Shores’ favor.

However, the MGM defense tightened and the offense responded with a rushing score on the goal line late in the first quarter. The Dolphins turned the ball over on downs to begin the second quarter, and soon after the Vikings grabbed a 14-7 lead through the air.

Davis was the engine for the Dolphins’ offense, scoring three touchdowns — one through the air and two on the ground. Gulf Shores quickly answered the MGM score thanks to a big gain on a pass from quarterback Jud Harris to wideout Darrion Kirksey, later leading to Davis scoring for the second time. The Vikings led 14-13 at halftime after blocking the extra-point attempt.

Both teams traded turnovers on downs and punts throughout the third quarter until the Dolphins began to find some rhythm. They took that momentum into the fourth quarter after another big-time catch from Kirksey was capped off by the third touchdown of the night from Davis. Gulf Shores took a 19-14 lead after a failed two-point conversion with just over 11 minutes to play.

On the following drive, the bruising MGM run game continued to power the Viking offense, leading to another quick response capped by a touchdown and two-point conversion to reclaim a 22-19 lead with nine minutes left.

Harris, Davis and tight end Nick Hampton battled for yards on the next possession looking for an answer, and Harris even hit Davis on a critical fourth-and-manageable to keep the drive alive. However, the MGM defense forced another decision for the Dolphins and forced a field goal attempt from 40-plus yards out that missed wide left.

Gulf Shores’ defense forced multiple punts in the last four minutes to give the Dolphins life, but the offense came up empty with multiple turnovers on downs all past midfield.

The Dolphins fell to 0-2 on the year and it doesn’t get easier as they hit the road next week to take on powerhouse Saraland.

"We knew coming into the season that our first one to three (games) of our schedule was very difficult," Hudspeth said after the game. "I am very proud of the fight and preparation of this team each week. The most disappointing thing is we have had the lead in the fourth quarter in both games against much larger schools. We have to figure out how to close these games out against really good opponents — There's a lot of season ahead."