Undefeated Tylertown awaits Vicksburg

Published 11:20 am Thursday, September 6, 2012

Vicksburg coach Tavares Johnson said he plans on some major revisions with the schedule next offseason and Friday’s visit to Tylertown will likely be the last one for some time.

Through two games, Vicksburg (0-2) has been outscored 90-7. The Gators could have another tough time against Tylertown (3-0) which averages 387.1 rushing yards per game.

The Chiefs have not missed a beat since longtime coach Walter Denton retired after an 11-2 season last year. Offensive coordinator Jason Johnson replaced Denton, and the Chiefs are averaging 51.7 points per game. The Chiefs’ victims include Jim Hill (55-14), Forest (53-21) and Franklin County (47-7).

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The first-year Vicksburg coach knows his young team will have problems against a loaded Tylertown squad.

“Probably the best offense we will see,” Johnson said. “They have good size, good speed. They have the quarterback back in No. 2 (Tyre’oune Holmes) and he really runs the Wing-T well for them.”

Holmes is one of three Chief backs that have rushed for over 200 yards this season. He has 316 yards and six touchdowns. Wingback Phillip Slocum has 209 yards and six scores while running back Chris Jones has 279 yards and three TDs.

Johnson said his Gators have bounced back from Saturday’s 41-0 loss at Richwood.

“We had one of the best days of practice that we’ve had,” Johnson said. “We got after it and it was at a very high tempo.”

Gator fans can also expect some lineup changes.

Johnson said he will continue to put in more freshmen and sophomores into action.

“We’re going to be smaller this week on the offensive line,” Johnson said. “We might lose some size, but I think we’ll gain aggressiveness. A lot of questions are being answered about our personnel. It’s going to be a process but I believe the players and coaches are getting on the same page.”

Vicksburg had a good opening first quarter against Richwood last week and Johnson hopes for a carryover. Jalen Williams has become the team’s top threat with 92 yards rushing in two games. Terrell Smith has picked up 59 yards taking the handoff in the jet sweep play.

A key concern for the Gators’ staff has been the lack of physical targets for quarterback Tavares Johnson Jr. The junior quarterback has completed just 11 of 31 passes for 107 yards. A big culprit is that the wide receivers are not getting separation from defenders.

“We had success early with our crossing routes,” Johnson Sr. said. “Then, Richwood kept their linebackers at home and they started knocking guys off their routes. For us, it’s all about getting tougher.”