Over the past three years, Hazlehurst’s football program has been one of the best in Class 3A. Along the way, the Indians have beaten Vicksburg High twice.

Now, Hazlehurst seems to be in a rebuilding mode, having scored only two points over its first two games. Despite the low offensive numbers. Vicksburg High coach Alonzo Stevens is wary.

“We haven’t beaten them yet,” Stevens said.

The two will tangle tonight at Vicksburg Memorial Stadium with kickoff slated for 7:30 p.m.

Vicksburg enters the game 1-1 and coming off an emotional 7-0 victory over Warren Central at Viking Stadium. That win followed an 11-point loss to then-No. 2 Clarksdale in the Red Carpet Bowl.

The Gators used a 75-yard interception return from Les Lemons to provide the difference in the Warren Central win. Through two games, the dangerous Gators’ offense has yet to hit its stride. Stevens, though, has seem improvement from week-to-week and that is the most important thing.

“As long as we get better each week we will be OK,” Stevens said. “We showed improvement from the Clarksdale game to the Warren Central game, and we hope to see even more improvement in the Hazlehurst game. At the last game of the year against Ridgeland, I hope we show improvement from the week before.”

The Gators will play tonight likely without Mississippi State recruit Delmon Robinson. The senior running back/defensive back sprained his ankle against Warren Central and went Tuesday for treatment. Stevens said he didn’t think the injury was serious, but with Region 3-4A play starting on Sept. 21, he doesn’t want to chance it.

Antonio Norfort and Jeremy Hamlin likely will take Robinson’s place at running back. Other than Robinson, Stevens said his team is healthy and hungry.

“I liked the way we finished the Warren Central game,” Stevens said. “I’ve been preaching about playing all four quarters. After we scored and we got the ball back late in the fourth quarter, we were able to hold onto it.”