[09/16/02]In Warren Central’s last two games, coach Robert Morgan has had fans buzzing on the sidelines and in the stands.

Both times Warren Central had the option to receive the game’s opening kickoff, but elected to give the ball to South Pike instead. That also meant that the Vikings kicked off after halftime as well.

Both times it has worked to perfection.

“I’ll watch their film and we’ll determine that later on,” said Morgan when asked if the strategy of kicking off both halves will be the norm. “Our defense will jar you, so we’ll see. There’s a lot more ways to score on defense than on offense.”

The Vikings are 3-0 and entered the Associated Press Top 20 poll at No. 12 last week. They should certainly move up in the rankings after an impressive 24-7 win over No. 9 South Pike.

“That ranking stuff really doesn’t mean much to us,” senior linebacker Tyler DeRossette said. “It looks good beating number 18 and then number 9, but it’s a lot of fun all of us playing together.”

On Friday, the Vikings travel to Natchez with an opportunity to go 4-0 as Region 2-5A play approaches.

And they’ve done it the Warren Central way: Smash-mouth offense and a stifling defense.

On Friday, Warren Central gave up yardage to the speedy Eagles, but turned three turnovers into 17 points. WC blocked a punt which led to a touchdown and recovered a fumble that led to a field goal. Eric Hamberlin highlighted a stellar defensive performance with a 73-yard fumble return for a score.

All the while the Vikings held South Pike to 35 points less than their average.

“It was hard for them once we figured out what they were doing,” DeRossette said. “After that, it was three-and-out, three-and-out, three-and-out.”

In the opening win over Liberty-Eylau, Texas, Warren Central allowed two touchdowns one long run and a special teams’ breakdown but has been the rock of this year’s team.

Warren Central’s “Wrecking Crew” has also sent opponents’ home feeling the brunt. WC defenders knocked talented South Pike quarterback Fred Jones late in the first half Friday. McComb’s quarterback broke his jaw in a loss to WC in the second week of the season.