Over the years, there have been a few certainties during summer in Mississippi.

It’ll be hot.

The fish and the mosquitoes will be biting.

And Vicksburg High and Warren Central will have success in whatever their football teams are doing to get ready for the upcoming season.

Vicksburg will take a perfect 10-0 record into Tuesday’s Jackson Passing League tournament, and is seeking its seventh championship in eight years in the 7-on-7 summer league.

Warren Central has a smaller summer schedule, but its varsity finished second in its division at the Mississippi State passing camp in June. Its junior varsity finished first in its division.

Both programs are rebuilding their offenses, and the success of this particular summer bodes well for the future. Each team will begin the season on Aug. 26 at Warren Central in the annual Red Carpet Bowl Classic. Vicksburg is scheduled to play Memphis Kirby High at 6 p.m., while WC will play Indianola-Gentry at 8.

“You’re working your quarterbacks and receivers, plus your defensive backs in straight passing situations. It’s something you can tie your summer workouts with, and you’re not working against yourself,” Warren Central coach Curtis Brewer said, adding of his younger players, “It’s their turn to be something and start preparing to play ballgames.”

Warren Central needs its young players to become something quickly. The Vikings lost nine offensive starters to graduation, including quarterback Christian Hales and leading rusher Larry Warner.

The summer workouts and camps have allowed Brewer and the WC coaching staff to identify potential replacements for the departed starters, as well as build depth.

“What you’ve got to do now is try to get the best 11 on offense,” Brewer said. “You’re not going to have a Larry (Warner), so your game is going to change its complexion because of that.”

When it comes to the Jackson Passing League, Vicksburg has more often than not had the best seven players, if not the best 11.

The Gators’ “green,” or varsity team, ran roughshod over the league this summer in storming to its first perfect record in the eight years it has gone.

Sophomore Stanton Price and junior Stefan Gibbs, along with freshman Les Lemon, have all played well and figure to have a three-way battle for the starting quarterback job through preseason drills.

“It’s just been a real competitive summer. Those guys are really grasping the offense,” Vicksburg coach Alonzo Stevens said. “I’m pleased with all three of them. They’re doing everything we ask, and they’re all working.”

The passing league hasn’t been the only thing on the Gators’ summer agenda. Players and coaches have also attended camps at LSU, Mississippi State, Grambling and Nebraska. They’ll go to another camp at LSU and do preseason speed drills before two-a-days begin on Aug. 1.

“We’re looking to develop some kids that can catch the football and defend the football. So far, it’s been the most successful summer we’ve had since I’ve been the coach,” said Stevens, who took over as Vicksburg’s head coach in 2001. “We have 16 starters back next year, and we lost some close games last year … We’re not that far off the mark. We’ve just got to continue to get better.”