Outsiders might look at Vicksburg’s dismal 2-9 record this season, its habit of allowing opponents to put up record numbers of points, and a pattern of uneven performances and scoff.

Coach Alonzo Stevens, however, saw progress.

The Gators’ offense put up huge numbers. Its defense, while shredded on numerous occasions, played well in both of the team’s wins. And, considering the Gators are a year removed from a 1-10 record, even the most hardened cynic would have to admit they’re twice as good as they were in 2009.

“I think we have arrived, as far as looking like a football team and building on our past pride,” Stevens said after Friday’s 52-23 season-ending loss to Clinton. “We’re going to be something to reckon with. To build the program back from where we were takes some time. The first year, we didn’t know how to play football. This year, at times, we played great.”

Those times, however, seemed few and far between for Vicksburg’s fan base. A 3-19 record over the past two seasons has put pressure on Stevens for perhaps the first time since he took over as head coach in 2001. Stevens said he intends to return as coach next year, but whether he’ll have a choice remains to be seen.

“Coach Stevens will be back,” Stevens said with a smile. “We’re going to ride this one out with my boys. We’re right at the door. If any vultures are circling, I can show them the improvement we’ve made.”

And, despite the disappointing record, there was some improvement this year. Unlike in 2009, when they were held to a touchdown or less in seven of 11 games, the offense was nearly unstoppable at times. After scoring a total of 28 points in their first three games this season, the Gators were held under 20 only one other time.

Quarterback Cameron Cooksey threw for more than 2,300 yards, running back Kawayne Gaston had over 1,000 yards on the ground, and receiver A.J. Stamps surpassed the 1,000-yard receiving mark.

All are juniors, and part of a rebuilding project that started after Vicksburg lost nearly three dozen seniors after the 2008 season.

Even Clinton coach Scott Brown admitted he’s not looking forward to facing the Gators next season.

“I think they’ll be a better football club. I don’t think they’re a bad club this year,” Brown said.

When asked how far away from a successful season he though the Gators were, Brown quickly said, “A year. Those guys have had players as long as I’ve been here. If they can slow some folks down, it’s a different ballgame.”

Slowing folks down was, without a doubt, Vicksburg’s biggest problem in 2010. The defense gave up 46 or more points in six of 11 games, and surrendered an average of 42 points per game. Two opponents, Madison Central and Northwest Rankin, scored more than 70.

Vicksburg did shut out Greenville-Weston and held archrival Warren Central to 12 points in its fourth consecutive victory in the series, but those singular performances were overshadowed by the overall pattern of poor play.

“We’ve got to work on some personnel. We’ve got to tackle. When we did that, we did a great job and I thought we did that tonight (against Clinton),” Stevens said.

Cooksey said the biggest challenge in the offseason will be learning how to win again. Twice this season, against Grenada and Murrah, the Gators either lost a close game or wasted a late lead. Winning those two would have put VHS in the playoffs and quieted some critics.

Instead, they’ll head into a long offseason trying to build on what did work, and improve what didn’t.

“We’ve just got to build our confidence back up,” Cooksey said. “We can definitely play. We just have to get the mentality in our heads that we can win, and we’re not always going to lose.”