For weeks the Vicksburg Gators have patiently waited for things to click and their fortunes to change.

They can’t wait any more. If they don’t get the job done this week, time will soon run out on the season.

The Gators (0-7, 0-2 MHSAA Region 2-6A) begin their stretch run with a Thursday night game against Callaway (3-5, 1-1) at Hughes Field in Jackson. It’s essentially an elimination game as far as the playoffs are concerned. Winning their last three region games should get the Gators to the playoffs and two might. Either way, there is no more margin for error.

“We’ve got to start getting something in the win column in order to climb into these playoffs,” Vicksburg coach Christopher Lacey said. “Right now, our focus is on getting into the playoffs. We’ve got an opportunity to do it. It’s set up the same way as last year. You’re 0-2 in district, you win the last three and you end up in the playoffs as the third seed. We’ve just got to do our thing.”

Vicksburg has not necessarily played poorly this season. It just hasn’t won. Last week’s 21-13 loss to Warren Central was its fourth one-score loss in seven games.

Vicksburg was outgained 331 yards to 59 by Warren Central, but managed to hang in with a good defensive effort. Mincer Minor returned an interception for a touchdown and recovered a fumble, and the Gators held WC to one touchdown in the last three quarters.

That effort came in the passion of a rivalry game, though. Bottling it and carrying it over to Callaway will be one of this week’s challenges.

“You’ve got to take the same energy into the game. I felt like we practiced well last week. We just didn’t execute to the level we were supposed to against Warren Central,” Lacey said. “We had our shots. We had our chances. We just didn’t execute to the way we were supposed to. That’s the stuff you’ve got to correct. But it’s been that story all year.”

Another challenge this week will be dealing with an offensive scheme the Gators haven’t seen yet. Callaway has only thrown 22 passes all season, and instead relies on a power running game. Marvin Moore has already surpassed the 1,000-yard rushing mark and scored 15 touchdowns.

“They do a good job of changing what they do to fit their personnel. One year they were this five-wide, spread out team. Now they’re more of a power run, wildcat type of team,” Lacey said. “It’s going to be fun to get out there and play them. We hadn’t really played a wildcat team this year, so it’s going to be fun to square it up with them and see what they’ve got.”

The short week will be something else to adjust to, although the Gators will soon get used to it. Two of their last three games — this one and the regular-season finale at Ridgeland on Nov. 7 — will be on Thursday nights.

“I think it’s a good thing for our kids after last week to not let it elongate a little bit more. To have a short week so we can go out there and do it, and give them a couple of days off after that,” Lacey said. “I like Thursday games. The anticipation doesn’t go all the way up until Friday. I’m ready to play.”

THIS WEEK’S AREA GAMES
All games start at 7 p.m.
Thursday, Oct. 24
Vicksburg at Callaway, at Hughes Field in Jackson (Radio: 107.7 FM)
Friday, Oct. 25
Neshoba Cent. at Warren Central (Radio: 105.5 FM)
Prairie View at Porter’s Chapel (Radio: 104.5 FM)
St. Aloysius at Winston Academy *Radio: 101.3 FM)
Tallulah Academy at Claiborne Academy
Port Gibson at Franklin County
Madison Parish at Delhi Charter