JACKSON — Before MHSAA schools are required to take a weeklong break from practices, Vicksburg was able to sneak in one last accomplishment Thursday.

The Gators participated in a series of 7-on-7 games against Jackson-area public schools with the exception of Clinton. Vicksburg dueled with Jim Hill twice winning in an 18-0 shutout in pool play and 21-6 in bracket play. Vicksburg clamped its jaws around Provine in another 20-0 shutout to meet Murrah in the championship game to win 21-13. Quarterback Joe Johnson ended the day with 12 touchdowns and no interceptions.

“Joe Johnson looked good and Devontay Knight played real well tonight,” Vicksburg coach Marcus Rogers said. “(Knight) looked like a college free safety. He’s coming off an injury and Johnson’s coming back from the Peyton Manning passing academy, (he) looked flawless tonight.”

Ending the last day of June practice with wins over Jackson schools builds the confidence of the players and is rewarding. It shows the players that Rogers is serious about changing the culture of the program into a winning one.

“We got momentum going into the dead week as far as being healthy,” he said, “we’re going to do our best to make sure we’re healthy for Wayne County.”

Rogers was proud of how his players are coming together to play selfless football.

“We had six, seven receivers make big plays and nobody griped or complained. That’s our biggest deal and they bought into it and that takes it to the next level,” he said.

Rogers enjoys playing competition from Jackson and regards their athletes as the best in the state, and it indeed did proved to be strong competition for the Gators.

“When you’re playing against Jackson public schools your playing against the best athletes in the state. People will tell you Jackson produces the best athletes in the state,” Rogers said. “It affords us the opportunity to go against athletic kids. We went out took care of business and brought a championship back to Vicksburg.”