After being held out of the end zone in their season opener, the Vicksburg Gators found it a few times in Week 2. They’ll probably need to find it a lot more if they want to win in Week 3.

The Gators (0-2) return to the Swamp on Friday night to face Natchez (2-0), which has scored more than 50 points in each of its first two games. VHS coach Christopher Lacey said he’d like to end that streak, as well as a two-game slump for his own team.

“Last year they were explosive. Watching them on film, a lot of their plays are just explosive plays from all of these playmakers they’ve got on offense. It’s going to be a challenge this week to limit them,” Lacey said.

Vicksburg beat Natchez 38-32 in double overtime last season. So far this year, the Bulldogs have been an offensive machine. They’ve beaten Hancock 58-50 and McComb 52-50 in triple overtime.

Quarterback Kaden Walton is 28-of-38 passing (73.7 percent) for 435 yards and seven touchdowns, and the team is also averaging 236 rushing yards per game.

“They’re averaging about 50 points a game, but they’re also giving up about 50 points a game. That just lets me know they’ve got a really good offense,” Lacey said.

The Gators haven’t struggled to move the football, just to move it across the goal line. Six red zone trips netted only two field goals in a 20-6 loss to Holmes County Central in the Red Carpet Bowl.

Last week, in a 28-23 loss to Forest Hill, 12 penalties blunted the momentum of a running game that had 226 yards. Two penalties wiped out touchdowns.

“Those are mistakes that are going to stop you from winning football games. We get in the end zone without those penalties, and we win the game,” Lacey said. “We just have to go out in practice and sure it up.”

Lacey said some of the mistakes have come from young players still getting acclimated to the speed and intensity of varsity football. After the loss to Forest Hill he said a lack of focus in practice during the week contributed to the outcome, but on Monday he put the blame for that on his shoulders as a coach.

“I want to apologize for my comments in the paper. It was moreso frustration. At the end of the day I’ve got to get my team ready to play. It’s my job to lead eveybody and make sure we’re prepared when it’s time to play a game, regardless of any of the variables,” he said. “I’ve got to make sure I get everybody set to play and I take full responsibility for the three losses we’ve took. We’re going to right the ship. We’re going to have a better week of practice for sure.”

The Gators will need it, and a better outcome, on Friday night. They haven’t been 0-3 since 2020, which was also the last time they finished with a losing record.

Natchez had a forfeit win during a 3-0 start in 2021, but hasn’t won its first three games on the field since 2018.
One side wants to change its momentum, the other wants to keep it going. Lacey said it’s the Gators’ job to make sure they’re the ones who get what they want.

“I know they’re looking at us and saying, ‘Vicksburg is 0-2. We had an opportunity and could have beaten them last year,’” Lacey said. “So it’s our job to be able to go in here this week and practice, and do what it is we’re supposed to do to go out here and play a good football game — and we will be.”

FRIDAY’S AREA GAMES
All games start at 7 p.m.
Natchez at Vicksburg (Radio: 107.7 FM)
Warren Central at Germantown (Radio: 105.5 FM)
Tri-County at St. Aloysius (Radio: 101.3 FM)
Humphreys Academy at Porter’s Chapel (Radio: 104.5 FM)
Tallulah Academy at Union Christian