(10/27/03)With two weeks remaining in the prep football season, the once-forgotten Vicksburg Gators are on the verge of a Region 2-5A title.

The Gators (6-3, 5-0 region) can earn the region championship with a victory over Murrah coupled with a Grenada win over Warren Central.

“We’ll go back to work and prepare,” Vicksburg coach Alonzo Stevens said. “We have to stay focused on ourselves.”

If Warren Central and Vicksburg both win on Friday night, the Nov. 7 crosstown rivalry game between the two schools will be for the region championship.

Warren Central and Grenada each have one loss in the region and the winner of that game is almost assured at least a No. 2 seed in the playoffs

Warren Central, coming off a 14-7 loss to Clinton, can still win the region by winning its last two games against Grenada and VHS.

Having one of the top two seeds in the region will benefit VHS and WC in more ways in than one. The top two seeds in each region host at least the first playoff game, and more importantly, the top two seeds avoid state-powers South Panola or Starkville.

St. Aloysius is clinging to an outside shot at making the playoffs, but will have to win its last two games and get some help.

In the Academy playoffs, Tallulah Academy, the Conference 5-A champions, will host Wilkinson Christian in the opening round of the Academy-A playoffs on Friday.

Briarfield earned a wild card berth and will play a team from the North.