[11/04/02]Don’t expect Alonzo Stevens’ pregame song this week to be Willie Nelson’s classic “On the Road Again.”

Stevens, who plays one song on repeat for an entire week leading up to gameday, will try to keep any reference to the road out of his team’s vernacular, because the road is what’s on the line in Friday’s Warren County showdown between the Gators and Warren Central.

Unlike past years when three-way ties and different mathematical scenarios were needed to clear up the playoff picture, this year’s is simple:

If VHS wins, it hosts a first-round playoff game either as the top seed, if Clinton loses, or the No. 2 seed.

Warren Central can finish no higher than second with a win over VHS, no matter what Clinton does.

In the North, South Panola earned the top seed in Region 1-5A with a 21-7 win over Starkville. Southaven, Horn Lake and Starkville are all 4-2 in region play. The loser of the VHS-Warren Central game will travel to one of the latter three.

The top two seeds in each region host a first-round game.

“We still control our destiny, now we just have to come out and play,” Stevens said.

Warren Central (8-2, 4-2) could have been playing for the Region 2-5A crown, but a stunning loss at Murrah on Friday ruined any hopes of a region championship. The Vikings have lost two straight after reeling off eight straight wins to open the season.

“Vicksburg has nothing to do with anything we do,” Warren Central coach Robert Morgan said. “It’s what we do that’s important.”

The 22nd installment of the annual grudge match 20 of those ending in Warren Central celebrations will be Friday night at Vicksburg Memorial Stadium.

Kickoff at Memorial Stadium is set for 7:30 p.m.