Vicksburg coach Marcus Rogers has worked hard to change the football program into one where winning is expected.

He’s kept his team consistently busy through a series of 7-on-7 camps in Jackson, Starkville and New Orleans while also getting players exposure at scouting camps at LSU, Jones County and in Stockbridge, Ga.

“I think trenches wise – o-line, d-line and inside linebacker – had the best summer we’ve ever had since I’ve been here,” Rogers said. “This is a year where we have some kids going into the fall season with offers. It’s going to be a good year.”

All MHSAA summer athletic programs are required to cease activities for this week, but before Vicksburg finished out its summer practices, the Gators competed in its final series of 7-on-7 drills against other Jackson-area teams winning the Victor Mason 7-on-7 championship by beating Murrah 21-13.

Throughout the wins garnered this summer, consistency was the key factor in each game.

“We want to play fast and execute, so in the games we were successful in we were able to do that,” Rogers said.

Vicksburg lost to a powerhouse in Brandon 28-27 during the summer and the Bulldogs presented matchup problems for the Gators at the tight end position.

While not indicative of how a typical Friday night will play out, the Gators stood their ground against an experienced, athletic team.

“Brandon is a seasoned team. I think they played for the south state championship last year,” Rogers said. “We figured it out. It’s just 7-on-7 so you get four seconds to throw the ball. It’s never a time when a quarterback has four seconds against inside defense so I like our chances on Friday night. … I just think that sometimes you look on the other side of the field and its more horses that what you got.”

Rogers plans to begin organized team activities with the team upon return from the dead week for about three hours a day.

“We’ll get on the field and go through some fundamentals and individual periods, do a little team period, (work on) special teams everyday because it’s important and then we’ll watch film and lift weights,” Rogers said.

This year’s team has worked in June to eliminate the selfish mentality and become more selfless overall with messages of togetherness and family being preached to the players.

Trust exercises such as falling backwards into the arms of teammates have been used to build on that message.

“It doesn’t matter who makes the plays as long as everyone’s giving their 100 percent effort we’ll be able to take it to the next level,” Rogers said.

Vicksburg shot themselves in the foot last season by committing trivial penalties in winnable games.

Instead of waiting until after practice to correct those mistakes, June was used to eradicate those errors.

A particular drill used by Rogers, which he picked up from Louisiana-Lafayette involves offensive and defensive lineman leaning up against the field house with 45-pound plates.

“We get a different coach to walk the plates and if they fall down everyone has to roll the stadium for 200 yards,” Rogers said. “Just instilling the small things in a workout. Something as simple as when we’re running sprints, staying behind the line, and everyone getting set. Just trying to get the discipline to where it needs to be.”

Going into his third season, players know what to expect from Rogers as a coach.

“Just knowing the expectations and being able to be Friday night ready will be the difference in a program and just the culture change. These kids hold each other accountable everyday and coaches, all we have to do is not mess up,” Rogers said.