The Vicksburg Gators have had great success on the road this season, logging three key wins.

They hope to make it four when they visit Hughes Field to face the Lanier Bulldogs (2-5, 1-3 Region 3-4A) tonight in Jackson.

“Our kids have got to keep focus and get ready to play a Lanier team with a whole lot of talent,” Vicksburg coach Alonzo Stevens said. “This is a team that beat Callaway and has got some athletes and people who can run.”

Vicksburg (5-2, 3-1) will be looking to maintain its hold on second place in the region following last week’s 36-6 rout of Yazoo County at Memorial Stadium. The Gators have won four out of their last five, including all three of their road games. Two weeks ago, they defeated Yazoo City 12-6 in overtime. Four weeks ago, they beat Callaway 31-6 in Jackson.

Last year, the Gators had little trouble in dismissing Lanier 49-6 enroute to their sixth win of the season. Stevens says Lanier has improved its program since.

“The coach there has gotten rid of some guys and put some talent on the offense. He’s got three guys who can run in that backfield. They have a big wide receiver and a scrambling quarterback,” Stevens said.

In the season opener against Bailey, the Bulldogs scored seven touchdowns in a 49-6 romp. Running backs Kevin Myers and Gerald Sinclair each had two scores. Myers’ two TDs came on runs of 65 and 50 yards. Quarterback Joseph Durr had a TD pass as well.

Lanier also played a good 5A Wingfield club tough before falling 37-27. The Bulldogs beat region-rival Callaway for its lone league win but lost to Jackson Public School power Provine, 20-0.

The Gators are coming off one of the more complete games of the season. They rushed for more than 282 yards while holding Yazoo County to just 31 net yards in offense. Outside linebacker William Henderson recorded a career-best four sacks in the win.

Vicksburg also got a lift from Malcolm Butler, who opened the Gators’ scoring with a 75-yard TD run on a reverse.

“Malcolm Butler is playing well on both sides of the ball for us. He’s been of one our more solid players on defense, but he added something to our offense with that long run,” Stevens said. “I feel like we’ve got several other kids who are coming on. I think we’re beginning to click pretty well. We just need to keep it going and try to get ourselves a playoff game at home.”

Quarterback Les Lemons leads the Gators with 583 yards passing (46-of-91, 5 TDs) and 456 yards rushing. Carlos Williams paces the defense with 86 tackles, which ranks second in the Vicksburg Post area.

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Contact Jeff Byrd at jbyrd@vicksburgpost.com