Vicksburg High falls to Holmes County Central after a tough second half

VICKSBURG, Miss. (VDN) — Vicksburg High School suffered a tough 22-16 loss to Holmes County Central on Thursday after giving up 22 unanswered points in the second half. The defeat puts the Gators’ postseason hopes in jeopardy, forcing them to win next week to secure a playoff berth.

The Gators controlled the first half, jumping out to a 16-0 lead by halftime. Jadarius Henderson opened the scoring with a 23-yard touchdown run, followed by Abel Gonzalez’s successful extra point to make it 7-0. In the second quarter, Gonzalez added a 32-yard field goal to extend the lead.

Wallys Curry appeared to give VHS another boost with a 70-yard interception return for a touchdown, but the play was called back due to a penalty. Henderson later powered through a defender for a 22-yard touchdown run, though the two-point attempt failed, leaving the Gators ahead 16-0 at the break.

Momentum shifted in the second half as the Jaguars scored on a 20-yard run and converted a two-point try to cut the lead to 16-8. A Vicksburg fumble in the fourth quarter set up another Holmes County touchdown on a 10-yard run, though Curry’s stop on the conversion kept the Gators ahead briefly.

Holmes County sealed the comeback late in the game with a 5-yard touchdown pass from Johnson to Howard, taking the 22-16 lead.

The Gators, now 5-4 on the season, will travel to face Lanier next week in a must-win matchup.