In a perfect scenario, the Vicksburg Gators would be playing unbeaten Ridgeland tonight for a shot at the Region 3-4A championship against Ridgeland.

A loss to Canton one week ago, however, leaves the Gators trying to ruin Ridgeland’s perfection and at least hoping for a No. 3 seed in the Class 4A state playoffs.

Vicksburg must beat Ridgeland tonight and have Callaway upset Yazoo City to snag the third seed and avoid a trip to Class 4A No. 4 team West Point, which has already won the Region 4-4A championship.

While Ridgeland is 9-0, it will be without the services of star running back B.J. Lee, who was injured in a 27-7 victory over Yazoo City one week ago. Lee will sit out the Vicksburg game to rest for the playoffs, Ridgeland coach Kenny Burtono told The Clarion-Ledger newspaper.

Burton said sophomore running back Shadik Horton will start in Lee’s place. Horton had a 136-yard rushing game this season, his coach told the newspaper.

When the Gators are on, they are a tough bunch to stop. Mississippi State commitment Delmon Robinson set up one touchdown with a long interception return against Canton, then grabbed a TD pass from Stanton Price. They lead a Vicksburg team that has scored 249 points this season.

Price leads all Warren County quarterbacks with 1,460 yards and 10 touchdowns. Three Gators — John Qualls, Robinson and junior Les Lemons — have at least 24 receptions, and Qualls has hauled in five touchdown passes.

If Yazoo City beats Callaway — a team that has won only one region game — the Gators will focus on a dangerous West Point team that carries an 8-1 record into their regular-season finale tonight against Caledonia. West Point lost to Shannon 36-35 in the first game of the year and has rolled to nine straight wins. Among those were wins over Class 5A teams Starkville and Columbus.

Before West Point, though, Stevens and the other Gator coaches are hoping to put to rest the Canton loss.