Gators fell short after a tough match against Columbus

Vicksburg, Ms –Vicksburg High School football team took a tough 41-27 loss to Columbus on Friday night.

The Falcons got on the board first after a blocked punt put them in the Gators’ territory. They scored from a short run to go up 7-0.

Halfway through the first quarter, quarterback Jamikal Maxey hit DeCorey Knight Jr. on a 17-yard pass. They eventually put the ball in the hands of Cedric Blackmore who pounded his way down the field but VHS eventually settled on a punt. 

Wallyss Curry came in laying big hits on defense for VHS as they quickly forced a punt. Just before the end of the first quarter, Maxey’s pass was intercepted.

The Falcons started the second quarter off by running the ball but Stephen Anderson made a huge third-down stop. Knight was instrumental in the Gators’ next drive as he picked up 20, 13, and 10-yard runs. As they made their way into the red zone Blackmore took it in for a 2-yard score which was followed by a successful extra point by Abel Gonzalez to tie the game at 7-7 with 2:13 left in the half.

Columbus responded quickly as they scored from an 85-yard kick return to put the score at 13-7. 

With under a minute left to play in the first half, Curry caught a 10-yard pick to tie the game but VHS took the 14-13 lead after Abel’s extra point. Curry also recovered a fumble.

Coming out of halftime, the Gators struck first after Jayden Woods caught a long pass on the 2-yard line. Knight scored on the next play and VHS had a 20-13 lead after the unsuccessful 2-point conversion.

Columbus came back and scored 14 unanswered points and took a 27-20 lead by the end of the third quarter. Less than two minutes into the fourth quarter the Falcons scored again to go up 33-20.

With 8:37 left to play, Knight caught a 47-yard touchdown pass that put things at 33-27. Before the end of the game, Columbus snuck away with another score to win 41-27.

VHS(0-9) will have their season finale next week at Ridgeland.