Vicksburg looked every bit as ready for the playoffs while Ridgeland appeared ready to pack it up. The Gators scored four touchdowns in the first 13 minutes, then added two more before halftime en route to a 42-0 romp over the listless Titans Friday night at Memorial Stadium.

The win was Vicksburg’s (8-2, 6-1 Region 3-4A) fifth straight. And while the game had no bearing on the Gators’ playoff position, it was homecoming, senior night and a payback for last year’s overtime loss all rolled into one.

“We came out from the jump and got on them quick,” Gators senior linebacker Carlos Williams said. “This feels real good. This makes five wins in a row and we’ve got this thing rolling downhill.”

VHS coach Alonzo Stevens was elated to see his team play its best game to date.

“That was it. We came out and shined on offense, defense and special teams,” Stevens said.

It took one play for Vicksburg to grab a lead. Quarterback Les Lemons took a direct snap and rumbled 74 yards for a touchdown.

“It was designed for me,” Lemons said. “I had great blocking. I knew I had six once I broke the line of scrimmage.”

Lemons added a 22-yard TD run and finished with 145 yards rushing. He was also 2-of-5 passing for 60 yards.

Ridgeland (4-6, 3-4) got one first down on its opening drive and that was it until the second half. Following a short punt, Vicksburg responded with its longest drive of the night, going 67 yards in eight plays. Antonio Norfort scored on an 8-yard TD run to make it 14-0 after Patrick Parker’s kick with 5:02 left in the first quarter.

Eight seconds later, it was 21-0. Marcus Allen stepped in front of a Brantley Adams pass and returned it 15 yards for a touchdown.

Another three-and-out by the Ridgeland offense and a 20-yard punt had Vicksburg threatening again. Lemons’ 23-yard pass to Rodney Beacham set up a 3-yard TD run by Jeremy Hamlin and Parker’s kick made it 28-0 on the first play of the second quarter.

Lemons’ 22-yard TD run and Williams’ 3-yard TD run capped off a second straight 21-point quarter for the Gators. Parker finished off a 6-of-6 effort on PAT kicks.

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Contact Jeff Byrd at jbyrd@vicksburgpost.com.