With a three-game winning streak in hand, the Vicksburg Gators head out of Warren County for the first time this season when they take on the Pearl Pirates tonight in Pearl.

Vicksburg (3-1, 1-0 Region 3-4A) played its first two games at Warren Central’s Viking Stadium, losing to No. 3 Clarksdale 28-17 and then beating the rival Vikings 7-0. The Gators won two straight at Memorial Stadium, crushing Hazlehurst 28-0 and Callaway 44-7 last week in the region opener.

Pearl (1-3, 1-0) struggled in losing its first three games but bounced back last week to beat Lanier 35-6.

Gators coach Alonzo Stevens says his team must be prepared for a quality opponent.

“They looked like the Pearl of old against Lanier,” Stevens said. “We just need to get in there and play. They have a good back in (Curtis) Spann but we’ve played a pretty good tandem of backs from Clarksdale and Warren Central had a good one in Joel Forbes.”

Spann gained 119 yards and scored twice in leading the Pirates past Lanier. The Gators’ defense, meanwhile, has allowed only one touchdown in their last 13 quarters of play.

“The style of defense we’re bringing is one that attacks. It’s the type of defense I like to see us play,” Stevens said.

The key for the Gators has been the stunt packages brought in by new defensive coordinator Stacy Sizemore.

“We have a real fast defense and we’re making plays,” said Vicksburg linebacker William Henderson, who is second on the team with 33 tackles. “Teams don’t know where we’re coming from and that’s the thing. We want to force the quarterback to make mistakes.”

Vicksburg did just that against Callaway, forcing three turnovers. Emmanuel Lofton returned an interception for a touchdown, and Anthony Addison recorded a safety with a quarterback sack.

Offensively, the Gators had their best game of the season as senior quarterback Stanton Price passed for 179 yards and the rushing attack added 116 yards. And the Gators did it without top receiver Les Lemons, who was held out with a thigh bruise, and a less than 100-percent tailback in Delmon Robinson (ankle)

“We’ve been working on us, trying to cut down some of the little mistakes,” Stevens said. “Les is up to 80 percent but I would really like to hold him out another week. Delmon is up to 95 percent and he’ll play. Delmon at 95 is still really dangerous and he’s had a good week of practice.”

Robinson was held to just 20 yards rushing last week but did score two touchdowns. He caught two passes for another 28 yards to move him to the brink of a Warren County record.

With three more receptions, Robinson will become the county’s career leader. He currently has 77, two behind career leader and former Gator Ben Shelton, who is now playing for Mississippi State. Records for receptions are from 1970 on.