Gators defeat Clinton 7-3 in preseason scrimmage; WC faced off with Brandon

VICKSBURG, Miss. (VDN) — Vicksburg High School earned a 7-3 win over Clinton in a preseason football scrimmage Friday night. The Gators hosted the matchup, which gave both teams a chance to evaluate their rosters before the official season begins next week.

“The guys played good and they did what I expected,” Vicksburg head coach Christopher Lacey said.

The Gators’ lone touchdown came in the first half when quarterback Jamikal Maxey connected with Thomas McKnight for a 71-yard scoring strike. The long pass gave the home crowd its biggest moment of the night and proved to be the difference on the scoreboard. Abel Gonzalez kicked the successful extra point.

Clinton answered with a field goal later in the game, but Vicksburg’s defense held strong the rest of the way. Deveyon Beard and Jaylin Smith each recorded sacks to stall Clinton’s drives, while James Warfield came up with a key interception to stop another possession.

The scrimmage also included junior varsity action, allowing younger players from both schools to get valuable game experience.

For Lacey and the Gators, the night provided both confidence and a clear picture of areas to improve.

Vicksburg will now turn its attention to the regular-season opener on the road next Friday against Natchez High School.

WC:

Warren Central ended the scrimmage with a combined 34-31 score between varsity and junior varsity to win the game. WC’s junior varsity team won its match, but the varsity lost.

At the start of the game, the varsity Vikings trailed 21-0 in the first quarter. The Vikings scored late in the second quarter when Blake Caruthers threw a 12-yard touchdown to Layton Lee to put the jv team on the board. Jonah Artman kicked the successful extra point.

Xavier Jackson then scored for the jv team as well on a 6-yard run. 

As both varsity teams hit the field again, the Bulldogs got back on the board for a field goal to put the varsity score at 24-0. Nash Morgan got WC’s varsity team on the board once he threw a 15-yard touchdown to Mike Hall. 

Aiden Malone also scored for WC’s junior team on a 10-yard run. Just a few plays later, WC’s Rob Ford returned a 35-yard fumble recovery to the house.