Clarence McDougal goes high for an interception at the end of the half as Jonathan Chandler (7), Louis Gilbert (5) and WCs Kacy Jones eye the ball. (The Vicksburg Post/PAT SHANNAHAN)

Down to its third and fourth running backs, the Clinton Arrows’ defense made sure it didn’t matter.

The No. 1 Arrows sacked quarterback Brett Morgan six times and held the Vikings prolific running game to 30 yards on 22 carries in a 24-7 win before and estimated 6,000 at Viking Stadium.

“We practiced really hard this week and came out prepared for them,” said Clinton defensive end J.C. Evans, who was one of many Arrows to harass Morgan all night. “We felt like no one respected us and we had to come out and show something tonight.”

The Arrows improved to 9-0 (5-0 Region 2-5A) while the Vikings fell to 7-2 (3-2).

“The defense is their strength and it is very good,” WC coach Robert Morgan said. “I knew we were going to have a hard time running, everyone else has, too. They just smother the run.”

Bruising fullback John Hicks led the Vikings with 66 yards 28 of which came on two runs in the fourth quarter but the six sacks gave Morgan minus-36 yards rushing. Morgan threw for 143 yards on 12 completions and connected with Carlton Bradford on a 48-yard touchdown late in the first quarter.

“They got ahead of us early and forced us to throw the ball,” Brett Morgan said. “We just didn’t get it done. We didn’t get it done.”

Without the running game, WC threw on almost every down and was forced to punt six times.

One was returned by Mississippi State signee Clarence McDougal, a 46-yarder for a 17-0 Clinton lead. The return brought an end to a whirlwind 3 minutes, 39 seconds.

Jarred McDougle opened the scoring with 8:40 left in the second with a 3-yard plunge, capping a 10-play, 69-yard drive.

WC fumbled the ensuring kickoff and Clinton recovered on the 9-yard line. WC’s defense held the Arrows to a 33-yard Andrew Shappley field goal for a 10-0 lead.

Four plays later, McDougal burst down the sideline for the score.

Morgan connected with Bradford with 3:15 left in the half. The Vikings went for an onsides kick, but Clinton recovered.

Desean Dyson, who led the Arrows with 90 yards on 17 carries, added the final score, a 3-yard run. The score was set up after the Vikings, facing a fourth-and-22 from the Arrows’ 38, tried a fake punt. The play failed and the Arrows marched for the final tally.

McDougal had 70 yards on 17 carries as the Arrows played again without MSU signee Coco Hodge (broken leg) and Mario King, who was arrested Wednesday and charged with statutory rape.

“This is a gigantic win for our program,” said Clinton coach David Bradberry, a former WC assistant coach. “We had a lot of guys play both ways and make some big plays.”