MADISON – Warren Central is back.

After losing three straight games in the early season, the Vikings are back in the Region 2-5A race after a 14-6 victory over Madison Central before an estimated 4,500 at Jaguar Field.

The Vikings (4-3, 2-1) used a stout defensive effort along with two big plays from the offense to beat the Jaguars (4-3, 2-1) on their home field.

&#8221Tiger Robinson’s big catch, Carleton Davis’ big run and our defense was there all night. This was a big, big win for us,“ WC coach Curtis Brewer said. &#8221Every game we can win, is a big win for us, but it’s especially big for these seniors because they really fought hard tonight.“

The Viking defense was huge and made Madison Central’s standout quarterback Tim Buckley look average. Buckley was sacked three times for minus-30 yards and was held to just 4-of-10 passing for a meager 25 yards. He was also picked off by WC’s Jakoby Johnson that ended the Jaguars’ last gasp with 40 seconds left at the Viking 18.

&#8221Tim Buckley is a heckuva quarterback when you watch him on film, but to shut him down like we did, took everybody,“ WC quarterback Ryan Williams said.

The Viking senior completed 9 of 14 passes for 129 yards. None were bigger than a 29-yarder to Robinson early in the third quarter to set up WC’s first score on Davis’ 1-yard run.

&#8221The line did a great job of selling a run and the corner just bit on it and Tiger got behind him,“ Williams said. &#8221Tiger ran a pretty route and it was a great play.“

Williams hit a wide open Robinson at the 10. He had an easy lane to the end zone but tripped on his own feet after twisting around to make sure he caught the pass. He fell down a foot or so from the goal line.

Davis got the score on the next play and Joey Bonelli’s kick made it 7-0.

Madison Central answered by driving to the WC 13 before settling for Ryne Smith’s 30-yard field goal with 3:57 left in the third to make it 7-3.

After a three-and-out, the Jaguars were on the move again to start the fourth quarter. Running back Pat Harrison gouged the Vikings for 33 yards on four carries to the WC 25. Then a 20-yard wing counter by Nico Hopkins got the ball to the five.

Another two yards by Harrison made it second-and-goal at the 3. There, the Vikings made their stand, stuffing the next two runs for minus-2 yards.

&#8221We just had to shut him down, that’s all,“ said WC linebacker Trey Ettinger of Harrison. &#8221I met him right in the hole.“

The Jaguars got a 19-yard field goal by Smith to make it 7-6 with 8:27 to play.

WC came right back. After a 15-yard late hit got the ball to midfield, Davis broke a tackle and sped 48 yards for a huge touchdown. Bonelli’s kick upped the lead to 14-6 with 7:16 left.

&#8221The guy went for a strip and I was to spin away from him,“ said Davis who finished with 108 yards on 17 carries.

After the teams traded punts, Madison began a drive with 2:49 left, but that ended when Johnson recovered a fumble at the 47. Davis, however, fumbled the ball back to MC following an 18-yard gain.

The Jaguars picked up a first down to the Viking 48 with 58 seconds left. Then on second down, Buckley tried to go deep but Johnson was there for the interception.