[1/29/03]Vicksburg High bowed out of the boys Class 5A playoffs Tuesday night with a 2-0 loss to Gulfport.

Gustavo Clavijo scored both goals for the Admirals (12-6-1), the Division 8-5A champions, and junior Brandon Singletary posted the shutout in goal.

The Gators outshot Gulfport 14-7.

“We outplayed them. We really outplayed them,” VHS coach Drew Kennedy said. “They played as well as they have all year, and the shots just didn’t fall for them.”

Vicksburg, which was back in the playoffs after a one-year absence, finished its season with a 5-12 record.

“It’s a growing season,” Kennedy said. “It’s one to build on. We made it to the playoffs, we’re a young team, and we’ve got nothing but good things ahead of us.”

Gulfport will host a second-round game on Saturday against Oak Grove, a 1-0 winner over Pascagoula.

The playoff game in Gulfport was not nearly as contentious as the one in Madison.

The Class 5A first-rounder between Southaven and Madison Central was suspended after a fight between the teams in the first half.

Madison Central was leading 4-0 with about 20 minutes to play when officials halted the game.

The Mississippi High School Activities Association is expected to rule today whether the game will be replayed, resumed, or forfeited.

In other Class 5A first-round boys games Tuesday, Olive Branch beat Callaway 4-0; Northwest Rankin topped Starkville 1-0; Brandon knocked off Tupelo 2-0; Hattiesburg upset Ocean Springs 2-1; and Clinton routed Long Beach 7-0.