Michael Thornton capped a scoring barrage early in the first quarter to lift Vicksburg (6-4) to a 5-1 dominating win over Natchez.

Thornton netted three goals while Russell Morrison and John Griffing each had a goal. Jeremy Johnson and Griffing each had an assist.

Natchez scored in the opening minutes of the second half to cut the lead to 4-1, but Thornton added his third with seven minutes left.

Vicksburg outshot the second-year program, 22-3.

“Our guys didn’t take this game serious enough,” Vicksburg coach Josh Harper said. “It should have been worse, especially when you have a ratio of shots like that.”

The Gators will open division play Friday night at Greenville. With a win, Vicksburg will clinch a playoff spot.

(G) WC 1, Pearl 0

Eighth-grader Kara Cretsinger scored the lone goal for the Lady Vikes (7-6-1), who outshot Pearl, 17-3, to bounce back from a 2-0 loss at Meridian on Tuesday.

WC will play its last game of 2000 Friday at Callaway.