Chris Grafton of Warren Central tries to run by Northwest Rankin’s John Mark Tyler Tuesday night at Link Field in Bovina.(The Vicksburg Post/C. TODD SHERMAN)

[11/7/01]The Warren Central Vikings found themselves a goalie. Now all they need is to get their offense on going.

Sophomore Luke Sellers made 13 saves in the Vikings’ 1-0 loss to No. 5 Northwest Rankin Tuesday night at Link Field in Bovina.

“He did an outstanding job,” said WC coach Jay Harrison, whose team fell to 0-1. “Being a sophomore with no experience, he proved he could play.”

Sellers allowed one goal midway through the first half on a broken play in the defensive zone, but he and the defense shut down the Cougars (2-0) in the second half. Northwest Rankin took 16 shots in the second.

On offense, though, the depleted Vikings had trouble. Five players four on the football team and one injured player were missing.

“We’re missing the meat of our team,” Harrison said. “But this group played their hearts out and I am very pleased.”

The Vikings did not get a shot on goal and played most of the game in Northwest Rankin’s end of the field.

“We want to be more aggressive this year and I think that we wore down in the second half,” Harrison said.

Will Dendinger scored for the Cougars for the eventual game-winner 20 minutes into the game.

The Vikings will be at Link Field again on Thursday against St. Andrew’s.

(B) Vicksburg 1, Greenville 1

Eighth-grader Coleman Morrison scored 10 minutes into the second half to give Vicksburg a tie at Greenville. The Gators (0-0-1) outshot the Hornets 18-7, but trailed 1-0 at the half.

“I told everyone that Greenville would be better this year after combining high schools, but everyone just laughed,” VHS coach Josh Harper said. Greenville and T.L. Weston merged this year.

Jerry Hemphill scored a goal in the first half for Greenville (0-0-1).

Vicksburg will be at Natchez on Thursday.

(G) VHS 12, Greenville 0

Brandi Parker scored three goals as Vicksburg began defense of its state championship with a convincing win over the Honey Bees.

Viola Howard, Brandi Head, Rebecca Flanagan, Beth Ashby, Laura Peyton, Tayvi Ellis and Miranda Hunt each had goals for VHS.

Michelle Beatty and Laura Johnston each scored on penalty kicks as Vicksburg held a 43-6 shots advantage.