This passing thing? The Vicksburg Gators have that down cold. So, on Friday, they decided to mix things up and try a different approach.

On a night where quarterback Cameron Cooksey took the spotlight by throwing for 328 yards and breaking the Warren County record for career passing yards, it was the Gators’ defense and running game that laid the foundation for a 37-14 victory over Lawrence County.

Running back Darius Youngblood ran for 106 yards and a touchdown. The defense forced three turnovers and held an opponent under 30 points for just the third time in the last two seasons. It was an unusual approach for a team that has made its reputation with a potent passing game and shaky defense.

“We know Youngblood can run the ball. Everybody is doing so much in the passing game that they’re daring us to run. We’ve got a running back that can run the ball,” Vicksburg coach Alonzo Stevens said. “We’ve been 0-4 the last two years in September. Now we’re going into the district 2-2 and with a little momentum. It’s building and we’re looking to go into district now with a little momentum, a little confidence and a little swagger.”

Youngblood set the tone on Vicksburg’s opening possession. He carried the ball four consecutive times, breaking the last for a 46-yard touchdown that tied the game at 7. It was the first rushing touchdown of the season for Vicksburg, which is averaging 31 points per game.

Youngblood carried the ball 19 times Friday night and finished with the first 100-yard game of his high school career. Even though more than half his yards came on the opening drive, the effect of a strong running game was immense.

“Darius Youngblood and the offensive line stepped it up in the running game. It’s something we’ve been struggling with. The running attack opened up our passing attack and that helped me out a lot,” said Cooksey, who had a season-low number of pass attempts with 25, but still managed to have his third consecutive 300-yard game.

Youngblood said the Gators’ coaching staff put an emphasis on the run in the lead-up to the Lawrence County game, and he welcomed the opportunity to shoulder more of the load.

“Our coaches said we’ve got to start running the ball more to even out the offense, so we practiced the run all week and it paid off,” Youngblood said. “I know the coaches believe in me. I’ve just got to make plays.”

The Gators’ much-maligned defense also came up big. The 14 points allowed was a season-low, and only the third time in the last 15 games they’ve allowed fewer than 30. More importantly, they came up with several big plays in the second half that turned the tide in the Gators’ favor and blunted some of Lawrence County’s momentum.

After Cooksey was intercepted in the end zone on the opening drive of the third quarter, the Gators forced a fumble and LeMichael Anderson recovered it at the Lawrence County 20. Three plays later, Cooksey threw an 11-yard touchdown pass to Clyde Kendrick to give Vicksburg a 20-7 lead.

Late in the third quarter, the same scenario played out. With the Gators leading 23-14, another Lawrence County fumble was recovered by Jeremy Hill at the 25-yard line.