When Vicksburg takes the field tonight against Jim Hill (2-2), it’ll be the home opener for the Gators (1-3) after five weeks of three-hour bus trips.

And what a long, strange trip it’s been.

At the end of that non-conference road trip, the Gators have forged an offensive identity, averaging 27.5 points in their last two games — after scoring a total of seven in the first two — and gained new confidence going into their Region 2-6A opener.

To celebrate the team’s first game of the season at Memorial Stadium, coach Tavares Johnson Sr. is asking fans to wear green and “green out the Swamp” as the Gators debut their new home uniforms.

“Like I told the kids, this is why you lifted weights all summer and ran sprints,” Johnson said. “This is why you ran drill after drill so you could showcase your talents in the Swamp in front of your home crowd and family.”

The key offensively for the Gators has been the emergence of a young group of wide receivers and their chemistry with quarterback Tavares Johnson Jr., who is fully recovered from a broken foot.

Sophomore Edward Davis had a huge game for Vicksburg in last week’s 34-27 win over Lawrence County. He finished with three catches for 47 yards and the game-clinching touchdown. On the game-clinching drive, Johnson Jr. hit four different receivers for gains.

Senior Johnathan Tenner’s return to the lineup after dealing with a host of minor injuries has also bolstered Vicksburg’s wide receiver corps. So has the emergence of junior De’Andre King (five receptions for 115 yards and one TD) and Jalen Williams (six catches for 39 yards).

“That’s the unique thing about our offense, we don’t just look for one person to throw to,” Johnson Sr. said. “We try to get the ball to whoever is open and I think Junior does a good job at it. That’s why on that last drive (against Lawrence County), we could move the ball down the field because he wasn’t locked in on just one guy.”

Only Tenner received snaps last year at wide receiver and he’s happy with the strides the group has made.

“Everybody has stepped up and made big plays when their time is called,” Tenner said.

After throwing for 107 yards in his first two starts, Johnson Jr. has thrown for 284 and three touchdowns in his last two. He feels the passing game hasn’t reached its full potential.

“They’re developing all right and as time passes, they’ll get better,” Johnson Jr. said. “It was tough at first because they weren’t used to how I throw the ball and they didn’t know where to go. But we’ve been practicing hard and everything is going to be great.”