Neshoba Central rammed its running game straight down Vicksburg’s throat on Friday night.

James Campell and Kavonte McCarty ran for a combined 428 yards — 241 and 187, respectively — and four touchdowns for the Rockets, who beat Vicksburg 31-20 at Memorial Stadium.

Vicksburg (4-7, 2-5 Region 2-5A) finished its season with its third consecutive loss. Neshoba Central (6-5, 4-3) won its third straight game, but still missed the playoffs in a three-way tiebreaker with Callaway and Ridgeland.

“They’ve been bulls for us all year,” Neshoba Central coach Stacy Luker said. “The offensive line had really gelled for us this year and played physical for us.”

The win moved Neshoba Central to 6-5 for the season and left it hoping for a brief moment it would make the playoffs. But after tiebreakers were factored in the Rockets finished two points shy of earning a postseason berth.

Vicksburg relied heavily on its passing game with senior quarterback Marquez Pickett completing 16 of 24 for 238 yards and two touchdowns, but only 35 of those yards came in the second half.

“All Marquez Pickett did was do what we asked him to do. I hate that it happened the last game, but I’m happy for the kid because now he’s got something to put on film and show some JUCO scouts,” Vicksburg coach Marcus Rogers said.

Vicksburg got out to an early lead with a couple of big plays. Tedarius Brown scored on a 41-yard run and, following a fumble deep in Gator territory, Kareeme Butler caught a 95-yard touchdown pass for a 13-0 lead. It was the second touchdown reception of 90 yards or more in the past three games for Butler, who finished with 12 receptions for 163 yards. Butler also had his sixth straight game with at least 100 receiving yards.

After a 35-yard field goal from Taylor Irby put Neshoba Central on the board, McCarty and Campbell went to work.

McCarty scored on a 90-yard run in the first half, then took the fourth carry of the second half 38 yards into the end zone to give Neshoba Central a 25-20 lead. Campbell tacked on the last points of the night on a 30-yard run with a minute left in the game.

Vicksburg’s only score of the second half came on a 28-yard pass to Brown.

Sharkey-Issaquena 62, Hebron 6

Jack Martin threw four touchdown passes, Austin Steed ran for four, and Sharkey-Issaquena Academy (12-0) rolled up 596 yards of total offense to rout Hebron Christian (6-4) in the first round of the MAIS eight-man playoffs.

Steed rushed for 178 yards on only eight carries, and also caught three passes for 113 yards and a touchdown. Victor Villareal caught two TD passes for SIA, which will play Kemper Academy in the second round.

Tallulah Academy 56, Christian Collegiate 39

Ryan Hodge ran for 152 yards and two touchdowns, Zach Boney for 91 yards and three scores, and Tallulah Academy (8-1) advanced to the second round of the MAIS eight-man playoffs with a win over Christian Collegiate (8-3).

Tallulah will play Briarfield next week.