Vicksburg coach Alonzo Stevens has exhausted every option while trying to diagnose the Gators’ problems on film.

But one thing that stands out to him more than midway through the season is that the Gators (0-6, 0-3 Region 2-6A) have yet to play a complete 48-minute game.

In stretches, the Gators have been awesome offensively. They’ve totaled nearly 1,000 yards and scored 87 points in the last two games. Yet, in that same span, the defense has allowed 54 and 76 points in consecutive weeks as letdowns and mental lapses in crucial stretches have proved costly.

“Every week, we find a new roadmap of disaster,” Stevens said. “We’re not handling adversity well. If I had any, I’d pull all of my hair out.”

But tonight’s game against region foe Greenville-Weston (4-2, 1-0) offers a fresh opportunity for a win and a major turning point.

Stevens has been encouraging his troops with one refrain — the region is wide open.

Stevens said the Gators would need a sweep of their three home games — Greenville-Weston tonight, Murrah in two weeks and Warren Central in the home finale on Oct. 29 — and split road games at second-ranked Madison Central next week and Clinton in the final week of the season. Do all that and an 0-6 start could turn into the unlikeliest of playoff berths.

“If we just take these three road games, get a split on the road, we’ll let the chips fall where they may,” Stevens said.

One thing that could help the Gators accomplish this goal is for their defense to get at least a few stops per contest. Stevens feels the effort is there, but the fatal belief in worrying about making more big mistakes has paralyzed his defense and led to more miscues.

“I just want the defense to play and have some fun out there with bodies flying to the football,” Stevens said. “Stop worrying about making mistakes, wrap up and do the little things they need to do.”

Offensively, the game will be a stark contrast. Greenville-Weston likes to grind out tight ball games with a strong running attack and a run-stuffing defense. Donald Jackson had 199 yards on the ground in last week’s 8-3 win over Warren Central.

Meanwhile, Vicksburg’s offense has become one of the state’s most potent passing attacks. Quarterback Cameron Cooksey has thrown for more than 300 yards in each of the last two games.

“Offensively, they believe they can get anything done,” Stevens said. “They feel that any time they have the ball, they can get it done.”