James Weathersby of Forest Hill is gang-tackled by Warren Central’s Jason Williams (6), Jamie Blok and Rod Montgomery (88) during the Vikings 41-7 win Friday night. Below, wide receiver Amos Chase runs for yardage past Cedrick McMillan. (The Vicksburg Post/Melanie Duncan)

[09/28/02]Warren Central quarterback Jeremy Ferguson shook off a stomach virus to have one of the best games in his short career.

The senior completed 11-of-20 passes for 208 yards and three long touchdowns as the Vikings opened Region 2-5A play with a resounding 41-7 win Friday night.

Warren Central (5-0, 1-0) trailed in the first half, 7-3, but WC quickly regained the lead for good when Ferguson connected with Larry King on a 73-yard touchdown, the first of two TDs he threw to King.

WC coach Robert Morgan took his team off the field soon after the game and he and players were unavailable for comment.

Forest Hill, which handed the Vikings a region loss last season, fell to 1-4 and 0-1 in the division.

Richmond Fields complemented Ferguson’s passing with 146 yards on 19 carries and Henry Williams had 59 yards on 11 carries, but it was the passing game that put the spark into the Vikings and ruined any hopes of a Forest Hill upset.

Two Rebel quarterbacks threw four interceptions two each by Chris Hemphill and Jason Williams and WC’s pass defense held Forest Hill to 3 yards passing. Jason Williams also had a jarring hit on a kickoff that caused a fumble, which was recovered by Kevin Miller.

Will Clark kicked the first of his two 26-yard field goals with 3 minutes, 15 seconds left in the first quarter for a 3-0 lead.

But Forest Hill scored early in the second quarter on a 37-yard touchdown run by James Weathersby. The senior had 97 yards to pace the Rebels’ offense.

On the very next play, Ferguson found King streaking down the field for a 73-yard score. A 2-point conversion pass from Amos Chase to Jason Williams gave WC an 11-7 lead.

King hauled in his second touchdown, a 33-yarder, with 26 seconds to play in the half as Warren Central led 17-7 at halftime.

A Henry Williams’ 1-yard run, Clark’s second field goal and a 32-yard touchdown pass from Ferguson to Chase increased WC’s lead to 34-7 at the end of the third quarter.

King led all receivers with 125 yards on four catches, while Chase had 34 yards on two catches.

Warren Central played most of the fourth quarter with the second team offense in the game. Junior James Henderson barreled in from 1-yard out late in the fourth quarter and Clark’s kick capped the WC scoring.

The Vikings, who entered the game ranked No. 6 in the state, will host Callaway on Friday for homecoming. The Chargers stunned Madison Central Friday night, 19-14.

In the last two games, WC has outscored its opponents 93-7 and has yet to allow more than 14 points to any opponent this season.