The Vicksburg High School’s 7-on-7 football squad took a big hit to its hopes of playing in the 7-on-7 national tournament in Washington, D.C. on Friday.

Vicksburg assistant coach Michael Banks, who will be running the team at the tournament, said that the Gators are still short of funds needed to take the 20-player team to the tournament, which starts Thursday.

The team found out the cheaper option — taking a pair of vans — was not an option due to school district regulations and the team is down to two choices, a chartered tour bus or a flight, to D.C.

The team raised $5,000 towards the trip. But now the trip requires about twice that amount to cover all of the expenses.

The coaches were forced to start working the phones to find some more donors and field some more bus bids to enable the team to make the trip.

“Our backs are against the wall and we just found this out around 2 p.m. (Friday),” Banks said.

The team will conduct a car wash at the Taco Bell on Pemberton Boulevard at 8:30 a.m. today to make a last ditch effort to raise the funds.

Those interested in making donations can call Banks at 601-301-0333.