According to the schedule, Vicksburg and Natchez are scheduled to kick off their game at 7:30 tonight. Don’t be surprised if the game lasts into Saturday.

Both the Gators and Bulldogs feature high-flying, pass-happy spread offenses that should move the ball up and down the field while bringing the clock to a grinding halt. The matchup has the potential for an entertaining game and a long night, but Vicksburg head coach Alonzo Stevens is hoping for neither.

&#8220I hope not,” Stevens said laughed. &#8220We’re going to try and be as balanced as we can … Defense is going to be key. They’ve got some kids that can motor and so can we.”

VHS and Natchez are no strangers to shootouts. Vicksburg held off the Bulldogs for a 40-34 win last season in Natchez, after jumping out to a 26-7 halftime lead. And in its season-opener last week against Gentry, VHS racked up 332 total yards in an impressive 42-19 win.

That was only about half as good as Natchez.

The Bulldogs obliterated a porous Port Gibson defense for nearly 400 yards and 70 points in a shutout victory. Natchez led 56-0 at halftime as quarterback Jason Bruce accounted for seven touchdowns – four throwing and three running.

Despite the domination, the Gators were less than impressed by the Bulldogs.

&#8220We’d drop 80 on Port Gibson,” said VHS wide receiver Vernon Wolfe, who led the team in receptions in 2005.

Delmon Robinson, Wolfe’s fellow receiver, picked up from there, saying this week’s game would not be nearly as one-sided.

&#8220They’re not going to score 70 on us. I commend them for scoring 70, but it’s a different level when they come into The Swamp,” Robinson said.

While it’s likely neither team will score 70 on its own, it is possible that they’ll score 70 combined.

&#8220The guys say they didn’t play anybody? Well, they scored 30 on us last year, so we know they can score,” Stevens said. &#8220We just have to smack them in the mouth and see who can withstand what the longest.”