In one impressive showing Friday night, the Vicksburg Gators ended six weeks of frustration and futility.

Quarterback Joe Johnson threw two touchdown passes and added 66 yards and a touchdown on the ground as the Gators dominated Neshoba Central from start to finish to earn a 23-0 victory.

Vicksburg (1-5, 1-1 Region 2-5A) snapped a five-game losing streak and bolstered hope that things could still turn around in time to make a push toward a playoff berth in Region 2-5A.

The Gators had 172 rushing yards — easily their highest total of the season — and held Neshoba Central (3-3, 1-1) to 118 yards of offense. After racking up more than 100 penalty yards in a loss to Germantown last week, Vicksburg only had 40 yards in penalties this time.

The Gators also forced three turnovers and held Neshoba to five first downs.

VHS took the opening kickoff and marched 10 plays in nearly five minutes, capped off by a 2-yard run by Johnson. In the final minute of the first quarter, Johnson hit Alec Bailey for a 15-yard TD pass, and in the second quarter connected with DeAngelo Dixon for a 21-yard score to make it 20-0 at halftime.

Greg Hayden kicked a 37-yard field goal in the third quarter to close out the scoring.

In their first five games this season, the Gators had scored a total of three offensive touchdowns.

Johnson finished a modest 5-of-10 passing for 95 yards, but did have the two touchdowns and no interceptions. Running back Mike Sims had 87 rushing yards on 18 carries.