Before the excitement of high school football rolls around in Mississippi, players and coaches put in a lot of hard work to physically and mentally prepare for the season. Players commit themselves to working hard during the one part of the year most kid’s look forward to sleeping in.

Senior defensive line captain Antonio Brown sets an example for underclassmen on the team by performing drills properly and showing up to practice on time. Brown looks to make this season the most memorable.

“This is my last go around,” Brown said. “My last year will be my good year. The workouts have made me physically and mentally ready.”

Brown is preparing for his last season by working hard, practicing every day and working out more. He lead the team in tackles last season and plans to build upon last season’s achievement by playing hard and competing.

Marcus Rogers is headed into his second season as coach of the Gators. VHS finished last season winning four games, but Rogers said the losses to Calloway, Neshoba Central and McComb resulted in only losing by a touchdown. He thinks it was a culture change as far as him learning the kids and everyone adjusting to each other.

“We’re on the path to success and we’re doing everything we’re supposed to do to get to the next level,” Rogers said.

VHS scrimmaged against Yazoo County and Calloway in May. This has been the only game like competition so far in the offseason. Rogers said he saw a lot of positives from his team in the game.

The Gators lost 16 seniors last season but Rogers played a lot of underclassmen. Playing younger athletes gave them experience and playing time they would not had by just sitting on the sidelines.

“My quarterback is young. He completed passes and he’s very efficient. He made some mistakes but it’s expected because he’s a young guy.” Rogers said. “I have a lot of four year starters back. The experience is there.”

Building the depth of his team is what Rogers looked to improve the most. After the final loss Rogers searched the school and recruited bigger physical guys to relieve some players playing offense and defense.

“Last season we didn’t do so good, but we were fundamentally sound. This year we’ve added a lot of pieces to the puzzle,” Roderick Erves, linebacker coach for the gators said.

Evers played for VHS from 2002-04 and has watched the program evolve from his days as a player. Evers said the program has gotten new equipment and has a great coaching staff.

Erves said the sophomores on the team have the mindset of what the coaches need to establish a brand for Vicksburg football. Erves said the brand is to be men on and off the field; young men who can go out and help the community, but can handle business on the field.

The Gators began summer workouts June 1. and are working on strength and conditioning from 8:30 until 10:30 a.m.

For the first hour, the offensive and defensive lines and inside linebackers are in the weight room, while skill position players, such as running backs and receivers, are on the field. Around 9:30 a.m., the team switches bringing the running backs and receivers to the field.

The drills performed by the skill positioned players included tire flips for strength and endurance, running speed hurdles for footwork, hill runs and bear crawls.

Lineman drills included rope pulls, working the forearm and shoulders, and a traditional game of tug of war. Players also performed sled pulls, where they ran with 90lbs attached to their backs.