Vicksburg High defenders William Erves, left, and Michael Rainey tackle Greenville’s Fabian Jones as linebacker Rory Johnson (44) pursues during the Gators’ 31-0 victory over the Hornets on Friday night. The Gators notched their second consecutive shutout and stayed unbeaten in Region 2-5A. (Melanie Duncan ThortisThe Vicksburg Post)

[10/20/03]Over the last few years, it was the offensive side of the ball that got all of the attention at Vicksburg High. Stars like Justin Henry, J.J. Brown, Andre Bennett and Phelan Gray inspired awe and drew the attention of college scouts with their exploits.

Plenty of talented offensive players still highlight the Gators’ roster this season. The difference is, they’re also playing defense and starting to shape that unit into a formidable force.

VHS turned in its third straight dominant performance Friday night with a 31-0 pasting of Greenville. It was the Gators’ second consecutive shutout and the latest in a string of defensive gems.

“This is how we’d love to have started. But for whatever reason we had to go around the rough side of the mountain,” VHS coach Alonzo Stevens said. “But it’s time for it to happen now. I’d rather see it happen to us now than early and then we fade out now.”

After struggling to start the season, the Gators’ defense has turned things around dramatically over the last three weeks.

VHS has allowed only 301 total yards and a paltry 4.7 points per game in its last three games, and forced 14 turnovers in that span.

The Gators have also held each of their last two opponents, Forest Hill and Greenville, under 100 yards of total offense. In their first five games, in which they went 2-3, the Gators allowed an average of 34 points per game. Four of VHS’ first five opponents scored at least 27 points, and two surpassed the 40-point mark.

“The defense is playing extremely well. We’re coming up with good schemes now and everything’s clicking,” said Ben Shelton, who had two interceptions in the win over Greenville. “I think it’s just the mentality. We’re getting where we actually get confidence and everybody thinks we can do it. We’re practicing more serious now.”

The resurgence has coincided with the move of several key offensive players to defense. In an effort to get more speed on defense, wide receiver Shelton and running backs Michael Rainey and A.J. Hicks were switched to defense.

They’ve responded by playing as well at their new positions as they did at their old ones. Shelton has three interceptions in the last two games including one that he returned for a touchdown and another that he brought back 43 yards to set up a field goal and Hicks had a sack against Greenville.

The trio also has continued to shine on offense. Hicks scored on a 1-yard run on Friday, while Shelton caught two passes for 33 yards and a touchdown.

“Ben elevates us, along with Michael Rainey and A.J. Hicks,” Stevens said. “You’ve got 4.4 speed on the outside, 4.4 speed at your linebacker with Rory (Johnson), and a 4.4 safety. So top to bottom you’re fast, and it shows.”

Whether the Gators can dominate the rest of their opponents the way they’ve shut down the last three remains to be seen.

Vicksburg ends the season with three solid offensive teams, beginning this week on the road at Madison Central. That’s followed by games against Murrah and the annual grudge match with rival Warren Central.

If Vicksburg’s confidence continues to build on itself, however, the Gators could be shutting down opponents deep into November.

“At the beginning of the year we struggled a little bit against Southaven and South Pike. But right now we’re just 11 brothers playing hard,” Johnson said, adding that he felt the Gators were playing as well as anyone. “Right now, I know there’s nobody in the state that can touch us. We’re finally playing up to where everybody thought we would be.”

Gators sting Hornets for playoff spot

[10/18/03]Vicksburg High was facing a classic “sandwich” game against Greenville on Friday night, and it lived up to its billing.

The Gators had Greenville for lunch.

VHS held the Hornets to a paltry 62 yards of total offense, forced six turnovers, registered six sacks, and recorded its second consecutive shutout in a 31-0 homecoming win at Memorial Stadium.

James Jackson threw three touchdown passes, while Ben Shelton caught a TD pass and had two interceptions on defense as the Gators clinched a playoff berth.

“It’s a playoff win,” VHS coach Alonzo Stevens said. “This guarantees us, no matter what, that we’re in the playoffs. That takes a little pressure off right there. Now it’s just seeing where you want to be in the playoffs.”

VHS only had 125 yards of offense and one first down in the first half, but made up for the sluggish offense with a suffocating defense that forced three turnovers on Greenville’s first five plays from scrimmage.

After Shelton’s 43-yard interception return led to a 26-yard Sean McGowan field goal, Greenville’s Lashun Campbell fumbled on the Hornets’ next offensive play. That set up a 27-yard TD pass from Jackson to Shelton to give the Gators a 10-0 lead with 3:40 to play in the first quarter.

“That right there put us on. When we got all those turnovers it just made everybody play hard. We talked all week about getting big turnovers,” said VHS linebacker Rory Johnson, whose fumble recovery set up the TD pass.

In the second quarter, a 70-yard punt return touchdown by Maurice Taylor was wiped out by an illegal block, but the defense set up the offense again.

Three plays after a William Erves interception gave the Gators the ball at midfield, Jackson hit Taylor on a crossing route over the middle. Taylor ran across the field and outran the Greenville defense to the end zone for a 44-yard touchdown and a 17-0 halftime lead.

A.J. Hicks added a 1-yard touchdown run early in the third quarter, and Jackson hit Sean Gibbs for a 13-yard TD in the fourth, but by halftime the VHS defense had more than enough room to work with.

The Gators allowed a 39-yard pass play in the third quarter, and minus-27 yards the rest of the half. Greenville never got inside the VHS 30-yard line, and even the Gators’ reserves got a chance to tee off on the opposition.

Linebacker Courtney Reed had three sacks in a five-play span late in the game, and defensive back Jamaal James had an interception.

“This is the way I want to win a championship,” Stevens said. “I want to win it on the defense. We’ve got to have the ball, we’ve got to make turnovers, we’ve got to cause fumbles, and those guys are doing those things now.”