In the driver's seat: Vicksburg handles Callaway 30-7, takes control in Region 2-5A

VICKSBURG — Vicksburg might have been 4-0 in Region 2, but they lacked a signature win.

Well, the Gators have one now.

Behind a steady ground game and some stiff defense, Vicksburg ran past previously unbeaten Callaway 30-7 Thursday night at Jim Sturgus, Sr. Field at Memorial Stadium.

The win now puts Vicksburg (5-2, 5-0 Region 2-5A) in the driver's seat to host a Class 5A playoff game next month.

“We’ve been flipping and flopping with the offensive line and over the past two or three weeks you can see them getting better," Vicksburg coach Todd McDaniel said. "But tonight was the first night we came out and put it together. We saw the real Vicksburg High tonight. We’ve been winning, but not dominating. We expect domination and tonight, we did.”

The Gators never trailed.

Malik Montgomery found the end zone from 1-yard out to give Vicksburg a 6-0 lead with 2:48 left in the first quarter.

With two minutes left until halftime, Alex Jefferson scored on an 8-yard run and successful two-point conversion extended the Vicksburg lead to 14-0.

Callaway cut the lead to 14-7 with 9:10 left in the third quarter as Kedarius Wade scored on a 38-yard run.

Jefferson added a 14-yard run with 10:10 left in the fourth quarter to extend the Gators lead to 22-7.

His third and final score came from 11 yards out to seal the game and give Vicksburg the 30-7 lead with 3:52 left in the fourth quarter.

“He’s coming off a knee injury and tonight I told him we’re giving him the ball and he runs hard with power and is going to be a big help the rest of the season,” McDaniel said. “We expected to win and defense was consistent like they’ve been all year. I can’t say enough of how proud I am of them for fighting and now we’re 5-0 in district.”

The Vicksburg defense only gave up 157 yards of total offense, including just 31 yards passing.

Jefferson finished with 50 yards rushing on just eight carries with three touchdowns to lead Vicksburg. Montgomery added 82 yards on 17 carries with a touchdown, while the Gators rushed for 180 yards total.

“I felt good tonight. Ran the ball well and executed as many plays as I could,” Jefferson said. “We were just trying to put the game away and execute. This win put us in good situation.”

The Gators will travel to Ridgeland next Friday night for a showdown with the Titans (5-1).

Wade had 60 yards rushing to lead Callaway. The Chargers fell to 6-1 overall and 4-1 in Region 2.

“This one is on me," Callaway coach Dameon Brown said. "I didn’t do a good job of preparing us for this game. I got outcoached tonight. They did a good job of making adjustments and seeing what we were doing. We've got to stay together as a family and get better.”

The Chargers have next week off before hosting Holmes County Central on Oct. 20.