When the Vicksburg Gators needed a big play Friday night, coach Marcus Rogers knew just the guy to do the job.

Tedarius Brown ripped off a 60-yard run for the go-ahead touchdown midway through the third quarter, and finished with 150 total yards in the game, as the Gators beat Canton 20-14.

Brown ran for 92 yards and a touchdown on only four carries, and caught three passes for 58 yards. His biggest play came on a jet sweep, when he hit the sideline and outran the defense to the end zone to give Vicksburg the six-point lead it never relinquished.

“We got our playmaker the ball in space and he made a play,” Rogers said. “That was real big for us. We were looking for a play, and knew exactly who to dial up. He got to the sideline and used that track speed.”

Vicksburg (4-4, 2-2 Region 2-5A) snapped a two-game losing streak and kept its playoff hopes alive. The Gators host Pearl next week, and still have games left against Callaway and Neshoba Central — both of whom they’re battling for the Nos. 3 and 4 seeds in the region.

“If we win out, everything will take care of itself. We have to win at least two of the last three,” Rogers said.

The Gators won Friday with a solid team effort.

Brown, Tim Jackson and quarterback Marquez Pickett all ran for touchdowns, and running back Marlon Hodge had 81 yards on nine carries in his first action since the season opener.

Jackson had another big play in the second quarter, when he recovered a fumble at the end of an interception return by Canton. Roderick Williams forced the fumble.

The recovery at the Canton 25-yard line set up an 8-yard TD run by Pickett that put VHS ahead 14-6.

Pickett was 10-of-21 passing for 162 yards, and the Gators rushed for 211 yards as a team. Kareeme Butler caught five passes for 105 yards.

Kethon Hargo led the defense with eight tackles, including four for a loss and a sack, as the Gators shut out Canton (2-5, 0-3) in the second half.

Canton had a chance to tie or take the lead late in the fourth quarter, but Vicksburg came up with a stop in the red zone and was able to run out the clock.

“I told the guys it was a sense of urgency, and I wanted them to play like their life depended on it,” Rogers said. “I told them let’s play like the coaches want you to play and execute everything we do, and they did that.”

Sharkey-Issaquena 60, Delta 12

Jack Martin threw five touchdown passes, Austin Steed scored five, and Sharkey-Issaquena Academy (9-0, 3-0 District 6-A) put up 52 points in the first half of a blowout win over Delta Academy (2-7, 0-2).

Steed caught three touchdown passes, ran for two TDs, and finished with 220 total yards on only 10 touches — 107 rushing on four carries, and 113 receiving on six catches.

Austin Herraney also caught two TD passes, and Tucker Clinkscales ran 49 yards for a score.

Tallulah Academy 82, Delta Streets 36

Mason Todd threw four touchdown passes and added 90 yards and three scores on the ground as Tallulah Academy (6-1) beat Delta Streets Academy by putting up 80 or more points for the second straight game.

The teams combined for 90 points in the first quarter alone, as they scored 11 touchdowns — all of which were longer than 20 yards. Tallulah took advantage of a couple of fumbles by Delta Streets to break serve and go up 62-28 at the end of the wild quarter.

Todd was 4-of-5 passing for 142 yards in the game.

Tallulah’s Zach Boney returned two kickoffs for touchdowns, and Ryan Hodge ran for 183 yards and two TDs.

Adams Christian 54, Central Hinds 21

Carlos Woods threw four touchdown passes in the first half to lead Adams Christian (8-1) to a rout of Central Hinds (3-6).