Sports
Gators headed to Little Six Championship
Vicksburg Junior High School’s football team secured a spot in the Little Six Championship Game with a 40-14 victory over Madison Central Middle School. The Gators improved to 5-0 under head coach Larry Carter Jr. and will face Warren Central…
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VICKSBURG, Miss. (VDN) —
Vicksburg Junior High School’s football team is headed to the Little Six Championship Game after clinching the West Division championship Tuesday with a 40-14 victory over Madison Central Middle School.
On a night when VJHS also celebrated homecoming, the Gators gave their home crowd even more reason to celebrate. The victory improved Vicksburg to 5-0 under head coach Larry Carter Jr. and guaranteed the Gators an opportunity to play for a championship.
Vicksburg wasted little time establishing itself offensively. D’Chance Thigpen, Kaleb Sims and Malcolm Turner each broke off 15-yard runs before Thigpen powered into the end zone on a 2-yard touchdown run. Sims caught the 2-point conversion to give VJHS an 8-0 lead.
The Gators quickly made their presence felt on defense. Antonio “AJ” Williams delivered an open-field tackle, and Sims came away with an interception in the end zone to stop Madison Central.
Late in the second quarter, Thigpen broke loose for a 25-yard scramble before Williams scored on a 7-yard touchdown run. Thigpen added the 2-point conversion to extend Vicksburg’s lead to 16-0.
Madison Central responded with a kickoff return for a touchdown and converted the 2-point attempt to cut the lead to 16-8.
The Gators, however, answered in explosive fashion just before halftime. Turner sprinted 80 yards for a touchdown, sending Vicksburg into the break with a 22-8 advantage.
The Jaguars scored again coming out of halftime to narrow the deficit to 22-14, but the Gators refused to surrender control.
Thigpen connected with Sam Jackson on a long pass that put Vicksburg in scoring position, and Turner finished the drive with a 5-yard touchdown run to extend the lead to 28-14.
Vicksburg’s defense continued to make plays as Kaden Robinson, Turner and Payden Tucker each recorded tackles in the backfield.
Before the third quarter ended, Sims broke free for a 75-yard touchdown run, adding another explosive play to the Gators’ championship-clinching performance.
Jackson capped the scoring in the fourth quarter with a 1-yard touchdown run to seal the 40-14 victory.
The win kept Carter’s Gators perfect at 5-0 and secured their place in the Little Six Championship Game. Before playing for the title, Vicksburg will face crosstown rival Warren Central next Tuesday at Warren Central High School.
Vicksburg-Warren School District Athletics Director James Lewis praised the players and coaching staff for earning the opportunity to compete for a championship.
“I’m extremely excited about the coaching staff and our kids for making it to the Little Six Championship and we wish them the best of luck,” Lewis said. “They had a tremendous season and we’re looking forward to having another victory in the championship game. Go Gators.”
For a team that entered the season with championship aspirations, five straight victories have now turned that goal into an opportunity. The Gators have earned their chance to play for the Little Six title, with one rivalry game standing between them and championship night.
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