Learn to execute. That was the message Vicksburg head coach Chris Lacey was already preaching to his players before running off the field after Friday’s 31-21 homecoming loss to Neshoba Central.

Lacey said mistakes and penalties took a toll on his team, which led 14-10 heading into halftime and wound up with its sixth consecutive loss.

“Not executing the game plan,” Lacey said. “Just not doing what we’re supposed to do. That’s it. Execution. We’re a better team than that.”

Vicksburg running back Cedrick Blackmore bookended the game with rushing touchdowns of 9 and 3 yards, and DeCorey Knight tacked on a 2-yard TD to cap a long drive in the second quarter. Knight’s touchdown gave the Gators (0-6, 0-1 MHSAA Region 2-6A) their only lead.

Knight and Blackmore took turns at quarterback, operating out of the wildcat formation as Lacey switched up his offense for the region opener. But two interceptions from quarterback Jamikal Maxey — including a pick-six by Neshoba’s Jaylas Winters — and frequent penalties had Vicksburg playing from behind most of the game.

The Gators had as hard a time finding a rhythm on defense, as Neshoba Central (2-4, 1-0) marched down the field on its opening series. It was held to a field goal, before the pick-six made it 10-0.

Trailing in the third, Neshoba regained the lead off a 16-yard touchdown scamper from Mekhi Gaddis. The Rockets widened the gap early in the fourth when quarterback Will Williams found Zach Rufffin for a 12-yard touchdown pass and capped a late-game drive with his own touchdown run from 3 yards out.

Blackmore’s final touchdown came as time expired and made the score look better on paper, but couldn’t stop the Gators from falling to 0-6 with a showdown against archrival Warren Central looming next week at Memorial Stadium.

Lacey said the switch in offensive strategy provided a boost early in the game, but again pointed to the lack of follow-through as his team’s Achilles heel.

“Our boys played hard,” Lacey said. “I’ve been saying it all year: We have a great team. We’ve just got to learn to execute.”