Vicksburg wins Little Six championship!

Penalties and tough defense ruled the first half of the Little Six Championship game between Vicksburg Junior High School and Brandon Middle School last night. Both teams had only one score by the end of the first half which resulted in an 8-6 Brandon lead.

The Gators (7-0) came out ready to play in the second half with quarterback Ronnie Alexander gaining four first downs in a row. Running back Alex Jefferson took the handoff and made it to the one yard line followed by a one yard score from Alexander. The Gators then went for a two point conversion which was good, giving the Gators a 14-8 lead early in the third quarter.

On Brandon’s next possession, they got penalized but were still able to find their way into Gator territory. Vicksburg came close to intercepting a pass but could not bring it in, which eventually led to a Brandon touchdown with a good two-point conversion. Brandon would take a 16-14 lead by the beginning of the fourth quarter.

Alex Jefferson soon would take over again for Vicksburg with gaining huge yards leading into Brandon territory. Alexander took the ball in for a touchdown, which was called back for a Vicksburg holding penalty. The Gators seemed to get back on track by getting the ball to Henderson for a long Vicksburg touchdown with a good two-point conversion, putting them in the lead again with a score of 22-16.

The Gator defense had trouble during the second half trying to stop Brandon’s offense. A bad kickoff put Brandon in great field position, which set up another touchdown with a failed two point conversion. That tied up the game at 22-22 late in the fourth quarter. The Gators would not be able to execute on the next drive and eventually gave the ball back to Brandon. The Bulldogs had a quick scoring opportunity by driving the ball down the field. Brandon threw a quick pass but Decorey Knight showed up for the big hit, forcing the Bulldogs to give up the ball and send the game to overtime.

Brandon would get the ball first in overtime facing the Gators defense. Defensive Coach Chris Lacey got his defense pumped up and the Gators shut down the Bulldog offense with a turnover on downs. Ronnie Alexander quickly took the ball in for a Vicksburg touchdown won the championship for the Gators.

“I feel like I want to cry,” said Head Coach Larry Carter. “We knew that Brandon would be tough, but I am proud at the way we bounced back.”

The victory marks the first time Vicksburg has played for the title. In 2005, they were named the champions by having the best record.