[10/17/03]Vicksburg High has already suffered one embarrassing loss this season when it fell to Natchez. The way the stars are lining up, Gators coach Alonzo Stevens is hoping his team doesn’t take another big hit.

VHS puts its three-game winning streak on the line tonight at 7:30 when Greenville comes to town. On paper, it figures to be an easy win for Vicksburg, which has won three straight region games behind a strong running game and a resurgent defense.

Greenville, meanwhile, has managed only six points in its last two games a 48-0 loss to Warren Central and a 31-6 pasting by Grenada.

Still, Stevens is hoping the mix of a winning streak, a tough stretch ahead, and homecoming doesn’t prove fatal for the Gators.

“It’s a dangerous game homecoming,” Stevens said. “Greenville always has talent, speed and size, and you put that element of homecoming in there and funny things happen.”

A lot of the talent and speed for Greenville comes from senior David Surney. The 6-foot-1, 180-pounder plays quarterback and wide receiver, and the Hornets use him liberally at both positions.

“He has good speed, and he reminds me of the kid from South Pike,” Stevens said, referring to South Pike running back Jessie Burton, who torched the Gators for 88 yards and three touchdowns on only 10 carries in a 49-20 win on Sept. 19. “Then he has a good enough arm that if you don’t get to him he can get it away and get it where it needs to be.”

Stopping Surney will be a test for the VHS defense, but based on the way they’ve played recently it’s a challenge they’re ready to meet.

The Gators have held their last two opponents Clinton and Forest Hill to a combined 239 yards of total offense. In a 23-0 shutout of Forest Hill last week, the Gators’ defense was responsible for 16 of the team’s 23 points, forced four turnovers, and held the Rebels to 76 yards.

Ben Shelton returned an interception for a touchdown, and linebacker Ray Kline returned a fumble for another score and sacked Forest Hill quarterback Tommy Burrell for a safety.

“I think we’re executing,” Stevens said. “We’re not blowing assignments, we’re not blowing running plays.”