VHS flag football defeats Thomas Edwards 20-19

VICKSBURG, Miss. (VDN) — The Vicksburg High School girls’ flag football team pulled out a 20-19 victory Thursday night over Thomas Edwards, improving to 2-1 on the season.

Ja’Keyla Curry led the defensive effort for the Missy Gators, finishing with four flag pulls in the backfield while also making key plays on offense.

“We played hard and came back and I’m proud of everyone,” Curry said. “I’m glad I got to turn my team up and prove everyone wrong who doubted us.”

Quarterback Jordan Powell opened the game by scrambling for Vicksburg, but a strong defensive showing from RHS kept the Missy Gators off the scoreboard early. Both teams struggled offensively until the final minutes of the first half.

The game shifted dramatically in the last four minutes before halftime when Dallas West returned a punt 30 yards for a touchdown. West also caught the extra-point pass from Powell to give Vicksburg a 7-0 lead.

Antonia Carter added a key defensive stop, and Curry came up with an interception with two minutes remaining in the half.

The closing stretch of the first half turned into a back-and-forth battle. TE scored on a tipped pass for a touchdown, but Powell answered with a 70-yard touchdown run. West secured another extra-point reception to put Vicksburg ahead 14-13 at halftime.

In the second half, Curry continued to make an impact on offense, hauling in three passes for gains of more than 10 yards. She later caught a 25-yard touchdown pass from Powell for what proved to be the game-winning score, giving Vicksburg a 20-13 advantage.

TE added a late touchdown to cut the deficit to 20-19, but the Missy Gators held on as time expired.

“Overall it could’ve been better, but I’m happy with the win, and we still have a lot of work to do,” Vicksburg head coach LaShanda Williams said. “We have to work on our confidence and build each other up.”