The Vicksburg Gators flexed their muscles on offense and defenseFriday night, handing the Brookhaven Panthers a lopsided 39-0setback on King Field. Vicksburg accounted for over 500 yards totaloffense and the Panthers self-destructed with six turnovers.

“I think we have a pretty good team,” said Vicksburg head coachAlonzo Stevens. “God has blessed us with a victory.”

The Gators (2-0), ranked No. 14 in the latest Associated PressPoll, got a 2-touchdown performance from running back Justin(J.J.)Brown, plus 143 yards rushing on just 5 carries. His 41 yardscoring run gave Vicksburg a 14-0 halftime lead on a sweat-soakedmuggy night.

Melvin Gray followed Brown with 12 rushes for 10 yards and 1 TD.A 4-yard run by Gray gave the Gators a 6-0 lead on their firstpossession of the game. Brown’s 56-yard dash had set up thescore.

Placekicker Victor Parker was perfect on 4 extra point tries. Hetacked on a 38-yard field goal with 5:04 left in the game.

“Our defensive staff did a great job getting the team ready,”said Coach Stevens. “We have four Division One players in oursecondary, some outstanding linebackers and a good line.

“Our offensive line is SEC-size up front,” he continued. “Wehave a lot of weapons.”

Vicksburg quarterback Justin Henry kept the Panthers on theirheels with his pinpoint passing. Henry completed 6 of 9 passes for67 yards.

On defense, Vicksburg dominated Brookhaven, limiting thePanthers to 173 yards total offense. David Heard led the secondarywith 2 pass interceptions. D’Eldrick Taylor and Tim Brown alsointercepted passes.

“Vicksburg has a good team,” said Brookhaven head coach AndrewHickman. “We needed to play a great game against them. A team likethat will capitalize on turnovers.”

Hickman’s Panthers were unable to establish a passing game.Quarterback Billy Williams was intercepted four times and did notcomplete a pass in 7 attempts.

The Gators scored on their first possession of the second half.They went 53 yards in 5 plays. Brown covered the final 8 yards on acounter play.

Henry, holding for Parker, fielded the high snap and circledright end for a 2-point conversion. The Gators led 22-0.

Heard’s first interception led to Vicksburg’s next touchdown.Taking over at their 32-yard line, the Gators went 68 yards in 8plays. Henry floated a soft pass to Quentin Miles in the end zonefor the TD. Vicksburg led 29-zip with 58 seconds left in the thirdquarter.

Backup quarterback Arthur Hicks accounted for the final TD with35 seconds left in the game. On a bootleg, he scrambled 53 yards topaydirt.,

Hicks had taken over at quarterback after Brookhaven tailbackCornelius Allen fumbled at the Panthers’ 19. That led to Parker’sfield goal. Hicks had 3 rushes for 71 yards.

Brookhaven was without the services of starting middlelinebacker Brian Mitchell due to an off-the-field injury. Mitchellhad sustained a broke toe last Monday. Tight end Phillip Tobias wasused sparingly, due to a sprained ankle.

Brookhaven’s strongest scoring threat ended at the Vicksburg28-yard line with 9:52 left in the game. Fullback Josh Anderson wasstacked up on fourth down and 1 yard to go.

Panther offensive tackle Rayshone Autman said the team shouldhave been more focused on the game. “We weren’t ready to play.”

Brookhaven (1-1) continues its homestand Friday night, hostingthe Mendenhall Tigers.

@Bbstandings:STATISTICS

V

B

First Downs

19

11

Rushes-Yards

39-435

40-173

Passing Yards

67

0

Total Yards

502

173

Passes

6-9-0

0-7-4

Fumbles-Lost

0-0

4-2

Punts-Average

2-33

2-24.5

Penalties-Yards

9-93

7-55

Vicksburg

7

7

15

190 – 39

Brookhaven

0

0

0

0 – 0

FIRST QUARTER

Vicksburg, Gray 6 run (Parker kick), 5:54.

SECOND QUARTER

Vicksburg, Brown 41 run (Parker kick),1:03.

THIRD QUARTER

Vicksburg, Brown 8 run (Henry run), 7:22.

Vicksburg, Miles 8 pass from Henry (run failed):58.

FOURTH QUARTER

Vicksburg, Parker 38 field goal, 5:04.

Vicksburg, Hicks 53 run, (Parker kick),:35.

INDIVIDUAL LEADERS

RUSHING: Vicksburg, Brown 5-143, Gray 12-104, Hicks3-71, Rainey 5-55, Reed 2-47, Heard 1-14, J. Wilson 3-8, Taylor4-4, Edwards 1-2, Jones 1-(-5), Henry 2-(-8). Brookhaven, Allen18-72, Anderson 10-55, Williams 12-46.

PASSING: Vicksburg, Henry 6-9-0, 67; Hicks 0-2-0.Brookhaven, Williams 0-7-4.

RECEIVING: Vicksburg, Rainey 2-28, Gray 1-16, Brown2-15, Miles 1-8.