[11/6/01]Injuries wreaked havoc on Warren Central this season.

Now, Vicksburg High has been hit.

Quarterback Justin Henry, the county’s leading passer with 1,004 yards and eight touchdowns, and starting defensive back David Heard were both on crutches Monday.

Henry, who has been hampered by a nagging ankle injury through baseball and football season, got hit in the second quarter of the Gators’ 27-24 win over Forest Hill.

He limped through the rest of the game and threw just one pass.

“Heck yeah I want to play,” Henry said Monday afternoon.

Coaches said they will not make a decision on Henry until late in the week.

“They are both dinged up, but they will be getting treatment throughout the week,” VHS offensive coordinator Jackie Williamson said. “They should be able to play if the treatment goes right.”

Heard, who is being recruited by several Division I-A teams, stepped in a sprinkler hole at Forest Hill. He missed most of that game with turf toe and was on crutches Monday.

Heard has two defensive touchdowns and three interceptions.

“We prepare everybody, not just our starters,” Williamson said. “You prepare your backups to play ball and everyone knows what to do. When it’s their turn to go in, they know what they’re doing.”

Arthur Hicks and James Jackson are Henry’s backups.

At Warren Central, leading receiver Kacy Jones broke his leg in practice early in the season, while tailback Pat Minor underwent season-ending knee surgery. Both players are out for Friday.

Andrew Patton is nursing an injured shoulder, but has played most of the season.

Leading receiver Carlton Bradford (25 catches for 481 and five touchdowns) has been nursing a hurt ankle for most of the season.

He came off the field very early in the Vikings’ 38-0 homecoming win over Murrah. He is expected to play.

Vicksburg (8-2, 5-1) and the Vikings (6-4, 4-2) are fighting for the right to host the first round of the Class 5A state playoffs.

The winner will host, most likely, Tupelo, while the loser will be at Starkville or Columbus, depending on the outcome of that game Friday night.