There were plenty of hugs. A prayer for safety with some emphatic amens. A pep talk and some cheers. But of course, nothing was more in evidence than an air of excitement.

And relief as the charter bus carrying the Vicksburg team to the Mel Kiper Jr. 7-on-7 National Championship tournament in Washington, D.C., rolled away from the Memorial Stadium parking lot Tuesday.

The bus received a sendoff worthy of departing heroes as the Warren County Sheriff’s Department gave it an escort to the county line. The departure fanfare was a reminder of how the hopes and dreams of an entire community, kept alive by a marathon fund-raising effort, were embodied in the team, that will begin play Thursday at the 32-team tournament.

The excitement was infectious. When asked to a man what part of the nation’s capital they wanted to see, the White House was the most popular answer.

“I want to see (President Barack) Obama,” James Humes said. “I want to see everything. I’m just thankful about going on this trip. I feel really excited, like I want to jump out of my shoes. It’s a one-in-a-lifetime opportunity.”

The guest of honor at the departure was local business owner David Hyde, whose $5,200 donation helped push the Gator fund-raising over the top with just a day to spare. While he has no ties to Vicksburg High School, his wife (Laura, class of 1976) and daughter (Amelia, class of 2009) graduated from there.

“This is just a great opportunity and how to not get behind this. I thought I should be tossing some more money into Vicksburg, a place that I love, and here we are,” Hyde said. “I don’t want this to be about me. I’m just happy they’re getting this opportunity to do something like this.”

For most on the bus, the trip was the first time they had ventured that far north, or even out of the state.

“Probably, most of us, I’d bet, have never been to D.C.,” Tavares Jackson said. “I’m really excited about seeing the Smithsonian. At first, I never would’ve expected us to go to D.C. It’s not every day that you could get to play some of the best teams in the nation.”

Quarterback Cameron Cooksey, whose travels have taken him to Oklahoma and a few other places within a short drive, was looking forward to seeing a part of the country he hadn’t seen and playing against stellar competition. The rising senior could also draw national interest from college coaches with a strong performance at the tournament.

“I never thought we were going to make this trip, money-wise, but thankfully, we’ve got people in this community who were willing to

pitch in to help,” Cooksey said. “It’s going to be really good for us going up against the nation’s best competition. We’re going to

find out how good we really are.”

The Gators feel that after winning just three games in two seasons, this year’s stellar summer in 7-on-7 play will translate into more wins when they put on pads and helmets in August.

“I’m so excited about showing off what skills I have and how talented our team is,” A.J. Stamps said. “We’re looking forward to making the playoffs this year. We’re going to be way better than we were last year.”

As for what they intended to do to pass the time on a 16-hour bus ride, answers ranged from watching some movies, munching on some snacks and watching the scenery.

But the most popular answer was one that the team will need plenty of: shuteye.

“I’m going to sleep,” Jackson said. “I don’t know what the rest of the guys are going to do, but count on me getting lots of sleep.”