Neely Nasif (9), Brandi Head, right, and Charlsie Bufkin, background, celebrate after Vicksburg High’s 3-1 win over Clinton for the South State championship.(The Vicksburg Post/C. TODD SHERMAN)

[2/08/02]Viola Howard’s best game in her short goalie career at Vicksburg High could not have come at a better time.

The junior, who was moved from the field to the goal last season, stopped 12 shots and allowed just one goal on a penalty kick in the Missy Gators’ 3-1 win, sending VHS (18-2) into a sixth state championship game in seven years.

“I have never played like that before,” said Howard, whose team will try to tackle top-ranked Brandon (21-1) at Clinton on Saturday morning at 11. “I don’t know what it was.”

Howard allowed a first-half goal to Kristin Meeks on a penalty shot after Meeks got tangled with a Vicksburg defender in the penalty box. The goal tied the game at 1 and it stayed that way until the half.

“That’s the best I’ve ever seen her play,” said sophomore Brandi Parker, who was credited with the Missy Gators’ first goal, but it actually careened off a Clinton player into the net 12 minutes into the game.

“One play she went for a ball and was horizontal to the ground. It was awesome.”

Neely Nasif broke a 1-1 tie with 21:37 left in the game on an assist from Parker and Brandi Head, which proved to be the game-winner.

“I headed the ball and Brandi (Parker) kicked it in the air and I just put it in,” Nasif said.

Clinton (19-6-1) attempted eight shots after Vicksburg took the lead, but each time Howard was there.

“We didn’t take advantage of our opportunities and Vicksburg did,” said Clinton coach Thomas Bobo, who, in three years, has lost to Vicksburg only twice both in the state semifinals. “We thought we were a better skill team and we created opportunities, we just couldn’t finish.”

Howard got some extra warm-ups from assistant coach Becky Seeman.

“I wanted to make sure she was loose because it was so cold,” Seeman said. ” … I used an old basketball drill, going back and forth down the field, throwing the ball to one another, getting her warm.”

Asked if the routine will be the same Saturday, Seeman said, “Absolutely it will.”

The Missy Gators put the final touches on the win with 10 minutes left when senior Cassie Griffing scored on an assist from Michelle Beatty for a two-goal lead. Clinton did not attempt another shot on goal.

“I always make it in the right corner,” Griffing said. “I thought to myself, calm down and take your time.’ It just went in.”

Vicksburg now shoots for its fifth state championship in seven years against a Brandon team that has never won the title. The last time the two met was a 3-2 Vicksburg win last season.

The lone game the two had scheduled this year was rained out.

Brandon beat No. 3 Madison Central, 1-0, also on Thursday. Madison was the lone team to beat the Lady Bulldogs this season.

“Brandon will be our biggest challenge this season,” Vicksburg coach Kevin Manton said.

“Our kids are high as a kite right now after this win, now we have to get their heads back to what we do.”