Vicksburg ball boy Mack Middleton tries to lean on the shoulders of Marcus Harris near the end of Friday night’s 32-0 loss. (Jon GiffinThe Vicksburg Post)

[10/26/04]Many fans arrive in the stands as the sun begins to set behind the darkening clouds. They calmly make their way through the bleachers at Memorial Stadium, find a spot and park themselves for the next 2 1/2 hours to watch high school football.

What they don’t know is the effort and preparation that takes place throughout the week. The Vicksburg High Gators don’t just show up before the game, it’s an all-day affair that begins just after noon. Through the time the players and coaches spend together, they bond in a special brotherhood that cannot be forced.

And when the stadium lights finally are turned off long after the last fan leaves and forgets about what just happened the Gators still feel the pain of a homecoming loss to Madison Central.

Here’s a look at gameday on Friday at Vicksburg High:

12:20 – A handful of players begin to filter into the fieldhouse to prepare for the upcoming pep rally. Friday’s pep rally has been moved outdoors from the auditorium to the stadium to pump up the students for the important game.

12:35 – After setting down their book bags, Sean Gibbs and Dustin Bockman take seats near the television. They put on game film from last year’s game against the Jaguars an 18-7 win by VHS in Madison. They study No. 6, Madison running back Jonathan Vance, and the plays the Jaguars like to run.

1:20 – The VHS band fires up the fight song, “Hail to the Victors,” as the football team wearing its road jerseys goes from the fieldhouse to the stands, which is now packed with cheering students.

1:30 – Vicksburg High introduces its “homecoming court” of football players wearing dresses, complete with balloons stuffed inside. Marcus Stokes is named the

“Our pep rallys are very spirited, and our kids get very involved,” head coach Alonzo Stevens says. “Our student body has a chance to get ready for the game, and it’s a time for the players to start getting mentally prepared for the game.”

With all the clowning out of its system, the team then heads back into the locker room for some pre-game preparations.

2:00 – A growing group of players gather around the TV to continue watching last year’s game film, while others change from their road jerseys to their team T-shirts.

Meanwhile, in the coaches’ office, former player Rory Johnson is visiting with the coaches and telling of his performance for Hinds Community College the night before.

“This is just a waiting period before we go eat,” assistant coach Tim Hughes says.

2:10 – Defensive coordinator David Tadlock pulls his defense into the locker room area to go over the game plan one last time. He discusses the new aggressive, pressure defense he plans to use against Madison. The plan is to stop Madison’s talented running backs Vance and Reggie Hicks.

2:30 – Offensive coordinator Jackie Williamson gathers his group around the TV and goes over his final gameplan and talks of pulling the upset over Madison, while Tadlock’s voice booms in the background from the locker room.

“The chance to make the playoffs is there,” Williamson says. “It’s right there in front of your hands, three games.”

2:50 – Stevens starts piping the music over the speakers, “Ain’t No Stopping Us Now.” The optimistic Gators then gather together and walk to the school cafeteria for the team meal.

3:00 – The players stand in line and get their plates of food, which today is breaded veal with mashed potatoes and corn. Hughes leads the team in a prayer before they dig in. Very little talking is allowed by the coaches, and the meal has a quiet, subdued feeling to it.

“We don’t want it to be social, like they do in the cafeteria on a regular day,” Stevens says. “We want them to be focused.”

3:20 – The team meal wraps up and the players quietly march back to the fieldhouse for a pre-game nap. Once inside, the doors are locked, the lights are turned off and everyone is quiet for two hours. Players have the option to sleep, listen to headphones or watch a movie. Friday’s featured showing was “We Were Soldiers.” The coaches chose the Vietnam film starring Mel Gibson to bring home the theme of togetherness and brotherhood.

“It’s a busy day on Fridays as far as preparing ourselves,” Gibbs says. “You use the rest time to get your mind right for the game.”

While the players sleep, the coaches hang out in the office watching a film on LSU’s defense and chatting.

“The wait’s worse than anything,” Williamson said.

5:30 – The lights come on and the music starts up again. As if on cue, everyone begins to move around and the hustle and bustle begins. The players head to the locker room and start putting on their uniforms.

Tadlock has a line started for players to get their wrists taped up for the game to prevent sprains. On everyone’s right arm, he writes “11 brothers” with a black marker.

“It means family,” Tadlock explains. “No individuals, no superstars.”

In the locker room, arm bands, socks, cleats, sleeves, pads and pants get put on and the players have a gleam of focus and determination in their eyes.