[11/11/04] Everything fell into place Friday night for Warren Central. The Vikings just failed to do the job.

Clinton defeated Olive Branch, meaning WC would have traveled to play a team in the second round that it had already beat 31-0 earlier in the season. It also would have meant that had WC advanced past that game, mighty South Panola would have made the long trip to Viking Stadium for the North State championship game.

But the Vikings didn’t hold up their end. Instead, the team that came within a returned punt of having a perfect 11-0 season lost to a team with a losing record. The Vikings didn’t just lose, though, they were shut down and shut out.

Tupelo by no means is a colossus of prep football in this state, at least not for the past decade or so. The Wave defense that shut down WC’s explosive offense allowed more than 20 points seven times this season. That same defense allowed more than 40 twice, and was beaten by a Class 3A team early in the season.

Warren Central had everything it wanted. It had an offense loaded with senior talent, a defense that stymied opponents all season long, a home playoff game. What was lacking was the desire to move past the first round of the playoffs for yet another season.

Is it possible that WC puts so much into beating the crosstown Gators that after that game their season is over? Would it be wiser to play Vicksburg game earlier in the season, hence getting the hoopla and hype out of the way with more games to play?

Yes to both.

Warren Central should be practicing this week for Clinton. It should be healing physical bumps and bruises. It should be building on a victory over Tupelo, spring-boarding itself toward a possible North State berth.

Instead, Viking staff are collecting uniforms and helmets. They’re wondering for another year what went wrong and asking themselves why the postseason obstacle has been so fierce of late. A great season that included an undefeated run through Region 2-5A came to a crashing halt.

Three points should not have beaten Warren Central. But they did. One lousy Tupelo field goal.

Warren Central’s offense had averaged nearly 35 points per game during the regular season. Their defense allowed less than 10.

The defense should be commended for holding a playoff opponent to a lousy field goal. The offense should be embarrassed for not being able to do anything.

Coming into the season finale, Vicksburg approached its game with WC as a playoff matchup.

Sadly, so did Warren Central.

Sean P. Murphy is sports editor of The Vicksburg Post. E-mail him at smurphy@vicksburgpost.com.