The Class 4A state playoffs begin in two weeks and the Vicksburg Gators already know they will be playing in them.

It’s the who and where that are still undecided.

The Gators can take a step toward the where tonight when they host Canton at 7:30.

Vicksburg is tied with Canton and Yazoo City for second place in Region 3-4A, trailing Ridgeland by one game. If the Gators beat Canton, and Ridgeland takes care of Yazoo City tonight, it will set up a region championship game between Ridgeland and Vicksburg on Nov. 2.

To get there, though, the Gators must get through one more obstacle — one that is loaded with offensive talent.

Canton hung 53 points on Yazoo City — a team Vicksburg lost to by a touchdown — and 52 points against Pearl. The Tigers’ only losses have come to Ridgeland and a non-region game with Tylertown. Canton is coming off a 21-14 victory over Callaway.

The Gators ride a similar theme into this game, having lost to non-region foe Clarksdale in the Red Carpet Bowl and the defeat at home against Yazoo City. The Gators have won two in a row and scored 49 on Lanier last Friday night.

In that game, John Qualls hauled in three touchdown passes — all from senior QB Stanton Price — and running backs Delmon Robinson, Jeremy Hamlin and Marlon Maxey each had a touchdown run.

Through the season, Vicksburg is averaging nearly 30 points per game while Canton puts up nearly 28.

“Our biggest concern is playing on the road,” Canton coach James Davis said.

Canton relies on the legs and strong arm of Jamarcus Jackson, a 5-foot, 9-inch senior. He has combined to run and throw for 19 touchdowns this season.

“He is a Dandy Dozen player and very dangerous,” VHS coach Alonzo Stevens said.

The Gators will return to the playoffs after missing the Class 5A postseason last year. The school dropped to Class 4A this season. By finishing either first or second in the region, the Gators are guaranteed a home game for the first round of the playoffs.

“We just need to handle our business on Friday night,” Stevens said. “We already made the playoffs, now we want to go out and get a home game here in The Swamp.”

Preceding tonight’s game, the senior football players, cheerleaders, Gator Girls and band participants will be recognized. Following that, a ceremony honoring former Vicksburg High player Kevin Dent, the only Gator in the College Football Hall of Fame, will take place.