More than bragging rights on the line for WC, VHS

Published 12:00 am Monday, November 3, 2003

[11/3/03]Warren Central earned much more than just a win over Grenada on Friday night.

The Vikings guaranteed themselves, at worst, a third seed in the Class 5A state playoffs. The Vikings (7-3, 5-1) also avoid a trip to mighty South Panola in the openin

Vicksburg, with its undefeated region record and 47-0 throttling of Murrah, are guaranteed a home playoff opener no matter the outcome of its game against the archrival Vikings.

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At stake for Warren Central:

A victory over the Gators (7-3, 6-0) will gave Warren Central its first outright region title since the state championship season on 1994.

If WC loses to Vicksburg, the Vikings will be the No. 2 seed and host a playoff game if Grenada beats Clinton on Friday. The Vikings would likely host West Point.

A WC loss, coupled with a Clinton win would give WC the third seed and a trip to Starkville against the Yellowjackets.

At stake for Vicksburg:

If the Gators beat WC, they will win the region and host either Columbus, Horn Lake or Columbus in the opening round.

A WC win over the Gators would put VHS as the second seed and it would host, most likely, West Point in the first round.

South Panola, the state’s top-ranked team and one that averages nearly 50 points per game, secured the Region 1-5A championship with a 33-15 win over Starkville on Friday. The Tigers (10-0, 6-0) will host West Point in the season finale.

Before the playoffs begin, however, the Vikings and Gators have a score to settle. The Gators are coming off their second win in the 22-year series history, but is still looking for their first win against the Vikings at Viking Stadium.

“It should be a great battle,” Vicksburg linebacker Ray Kline said. “We’re ready for them. We’re ready to go out, execute and play a good game.”

Rarely has there been this much at stake when the two teams meet and an overflow crowd is expected. School officials said his best advice would be to just show up early.

The last time this game was played at WC, traffic backed up to the Beechwood intersection of U.S. 80 and Mississippi 27 an hour before kickoff.

“Vicksburg has a very fine ballclub,” Warren Central coach Robert Morgan said. “We have a lot of respect for them.”