Facing Pearl’s Jordan Wright, one of the most dangerous running backs in the state, Vicksburg High’s defense did what it needed to do to keep him bottled up when he got the ball.

They just couldn’t keep him off the field.

The Gators had one of their worst offensive games of the season Friday night, rushing for just one yard and gaining five first downs in a 51-13 loss to Pearl.

It was a disappointing effort for a unit that seemed to be coming into its own in recent weeks. The Gators had rushed for more than 200 yards in a win over Canton the week before.

“We got people running wide open down the field. Just execution. We’ve just got to execute better,” Vicksburg coach Marcus Rogers said. “It’s tough, because we played with them. At the end of the day, plays are out there still to be made and we’re not executing.”

Rogers had a good reason for harping on his team’s lack of execution.

Quarterback Marquez Pickett overthrew two deep balls early in the game to Kareeme Butler that likely would have been momentum-building touchdowns.

Midway through the second quarter, Pickett sailed a pass over the middle that was easily intercepted by Kameron Spann and returned 31 yards for a touchdown that put Pearl ahead 27-13.

Those passes were among the few where he had time to throw. Pickett was sacked six times, accounting for most of the Gators’ low rushing total.

One of the sacks came on a calculated gamble that didn’t pay off. Facing fourth-and-10 from his own 45, Rogers elected to go for it with 36 seconds left in the half. Even if the Gators didn’t make the first down, he figured, the defense could keep Pearl in check for a few plays.

Pickett was sacked for a 7-yard loss on the play, and Pearl ended up using its good field position to get a field goal. The Pirates added a touchdown on the opening possession of the second half to go up 37-13, and the rout was on.

Pickett finished the game 7-of-19 passing for 185 yards, with one touchdown and one interception, and Butler caught five passes for 177 yards and a touchdown, but the final numbers belied the offense’s struggles.

Most of the passing yardage came on two plays — a 94-yard touchdown by Butler on a short screen pass, and a 58-yard bomb in the second half. Pickett only had one other completion longer than eight yards.

The Gators had three runs longer than 10 yards, but two came on their last possession of the game. Thirty-one of their 49 offensive snaps resulted in no gain or a loss.

If there was a silver lining for the Gators (4-5, 2-3 Region 2-5A), it’s that the loss didn’t completely kill their playoff hopes. They face Callaway (4-6, 3-2) this week, then finish the regular season at home against Neshoba Cental (4-5, 2-3).

Both opponents are battling with Vicksburg for the No. 4 seed in Region 2-5A, so if the Gators win out they’ll be playoff-bound for the second consecutive season.

Rogers was still confident in his team, but said it needs to step up its game to have a chance.

“If we get in and take care of business like we should, we should win the next two. But if we throw a goose egg, it’s going to be hard,” Rogers said. “We’re going to have to build them up, because we’re down right now. We’ve got to keep an even keel right now and just execute better.”