Vicksburg High’s football playoff hopes are hanging by a thread, and it does not fully control its destiny. The goal, though, has not changed.

“The goal is never going to change. The goal is to go 1-0 every week, and not really focus on what’s behind us and what’s in front of us. Just focus on the process,” Gators coach Christopher Lacey said. “I want the kids to be process-oriented and not pay attention to all the made-up variables and all of that. Just the execution it takes to win the game.”

It’s wise for the Gators to focus on going 1-0 this week, since they haven’t done it yet this season. They enter their home finale against Columbus with an 0-8 record. It’s the deepest in a season the team has gone without a win since losing the first nine games in 2009.

The last time Vicksburg High or one of its lineal predecessors — Cooper High or Carr Central — had a winless season was 1952.

Lacey admits it has been a frustrating season, especially since the Gators have often been close to being in the win column. Five of their eight losses have been one-score games that could have gone the other way by making a play here or there.

“We just have to click and play as a team. We’re talented enough. These haven’t been crazy score games or anything like that. Most of them have come down to us having the ball in the two minute drill trying to score,” Lacey said. “I sound like a broken record, but it comes back down to football stuff — blocking, tackling, remembering your assignments and stuff like that.”

Lacey added that he’s tried to look at a much bigger picture as this season started slipping away
He replaced a number of three- and four-year starters who graduated with younger players getting their first extended playing time. Mistakes they make now, he hopes, are ones they learn from and correct in the future.

“I’m a positive person, so I look at what good comes out of it,” Lacey said. “I think what comes out of it is, are we doing the right things right? If we do this the correct way then there is a positive result behind it.”

The first positive result would be a victory over Columbus (2-6, 0-3 MHSAA Region 2-6A). Vicksburg (0-8, 0-3) still has a slim path to the Class 6A playoffs, but it can’t happen without winning Friday.

Vicksburg needs to beat Columbus and then Ridgeland next week, and also have Neshoba Central beat Ridgeland this Friday. That would put the Gators in as the No. 4 seed from Region 2-6A.

Columbus has been eliminated from playoff contention, but Lacey wasn’t expecting them to lay down in a game both teams are eyeing as a potential victory.

“We’re all still fighting to see if we can slide into a situation.,” Lacey said. “Columbus is a big, gritty footbal team with a great coach and he’s going to have them ready to go. They’re like us. It just hasn’t really went their way sometimes. Hopefully we go out there and play a good game.”

FRIDAY’S AREA GAMES
All games start at 7 p.m.
p-MAIS playoff games
Columbus at Vicksburg (Radio: 107.7 FM)
Callaway at Warren Central (Radio: 105.5 FM)
p-Park Place at Porter’s Chapel (Radio: 104.5 FM)
p-St. Al at Winston Academy (Radio: 101.3 FM)
p-Marvell Academy at Tallulah Academy
South Pike at Port Gibson
Madison Parish at Oak Grove, La.