Alonzo Stevens and Willie Brown know quite a bit about one another.

Before coming to Vicksburg High, Stevens coached the offensive line at Alcorn State, while Brown coached Alcorn State’s defensive line.

The two will square off again tonight when Stevens’ unbeaten Gators tackle one of the toughest teams in Class 3A. Kickoff at Memorial Stadium is scheduled for 7:30 p.m.

The Indians (1-0) are coming off a 40-0 shellacking of Wilkinson County and are still riding the momentum of last season’s 10-2 record.

“They are the only team we will play this season that will be as fast, if not faster, than we are,” Stevens said. “Coach Brown has done a great job turning that program around. We will have to be ready to play.”

Stevens and the Gators’ coaching staff did not get a scouting tape on Hazlehurst, but the two teams did meet in a preseason jamboree at Magee.

Vicksburg scored five touchdowns against powerful West Jones and five against highly regarded Magee. Against Hazlehurst, the Gators did not score an offensive touchdown.

“They can play football down there,” Stevens said. “Speed is the great equalizer and when you have speed, you can play anything.”

Hazlehurst, a small, speedy team, is led by a pair of standout linebackers. Johnny Sanders (6-3, 210 pounds) recorded 120 tackles last season, while Jasmine Guy had 10 sacks.

“They love to blitz, put pressure on you and force turnovers,” Stevens said. “We have to be mentally ready to play.”

Hazlehurt’s rejuvenation started six years ago when Brown arrived at the school. The Indians lost the opening game of the 2004 season to eventual Class 4A state champion Brookhaven before reeling off 10 straight wins. The Indians were beaten in the South State semifinals by West Lauderdale, 9-8.

In 2003, the team went 9-2 in the regular season before falling to Forest, 32-26, in the second round of the playoffs.

“The good thing about this week is that our players know that Hazlehurst can play football,” Stevens said. “People will tell them that they have a cakewalk, but we don’t. They are coming up here to prove a point.”