[9/13/01]With heavy hearts, the Warren Central Vikings are carrying on.

One day after the attack on America, coach Robert Morgan and the Vikings were preparing for a battle, albeit on a much smaller scale.

“There is nothing more important than our country and the people that lost their lives,” WC coach Robert Morgan said.

The Vikings (1-1) will try to protect their No. 16 ranking in The Associated Press poll Friday night at South Pike, which is one of the more hostile environments around, Morgan said.

In an effort to get prepared, Morgan looked to the past last year’s South Pike game.

“We compared the same players we have now to the way they played last year,” Morgan said. “We wanted them to see how sharp they were and the way they performed last year. You could definitely see the difference in the intensity.”

In 2000, WC edged South Pike (1-1), 14-12, as part of a six-game winning streak to start the season.

But after a loss to Wayne County and an overtime win over defending Class 4A champion McComb, the Vikings are looking for the perfect fit.

John Hicks and Patrick Minor have yet to have breakout running games behind a rebuilding offensive line.

“We are trying build a team and get our show on the road and learn and play good, tough teams and win while doing that,” Morgan said. “Hopefully, having to struggle like this will pay off … .”

The Eagles (1-1), who entered the season ranked in the AP Top 20 before losing last week to Tylertown, boast an intense defense, a multiple-set offense and a veteran coach.

Greg Wall, who led the Eagles to state championships in 1989 and 1996, most recently coached at Brookhaven.

“He is a great coach and a great friend,” Morgan said.

Morgan said he expects to see a lot of different formations. The centerpiece of the Eagles’ offense is quarterback Jonathan Brumfield, a 180-pound senior.

“He’s a big kid that throws the ball well,” Wall said. “He has the potential to be a real good quarterback, but he needs some confidence.”

On defense, the Eagles are aggressive and love to put pressure on opponents. Wall said his team is geared toward stopping the run, then tackling the pass.

Junior linebackers Joe Taylor and Jerrell McGhee lead the aggressive Eagles’ defense.

“They played all 10 games last year and have experience,” Wall said. “… Defense has been the bread and butter here. We know they’ll try to run the ball and we hope to put pressure on that.”

Even with WC’s offensive woes, Morgan said things have been pretty normal at practice.

“I haven’t been kickin’ butts and taking names. I just haven’t been doing it,” Morgan said. “I’m trying to stress to them … that we need everyone on the same page, pulling together.”

Morgan said that the terrorist attacks in New York and Washington D.C., are weighing heavily on players and coaches.

” … (W)e have tried to stay on the same course as we have without upsetting our kids,” Morgan said. “We are still a blessed country. People have given their lives for freedom and now we have to make sure we protect that.”