Friday’s Vicksburg-Warren Central matchup will have much more on the line than just bragging rights.

For the Gators, they’ll need to beat Warren Central or have Provine lose to Clinton to reach the postseason. If Vicksburg, which is one game ahead of Provine, ends up tied with the Rams, then Provine would go to the Class 5A playoffs and the Gators would stay home.

For the Vikings, a possible Region 2-5A championship and certain home playoff game is at stake. The Vikings, Northwest Rankin and Madison Central are all tied atop the region standings.

In the North, the top three seeds are settled, with South Panola holding the top seed, Olive Branch second and Starkville third. All three of those teams are ranked in the Top 5 in the Class 5A Associated Press poll.

Vicksburg’s history has been less than stellar at Viking Stadium. Since the series began in 1981, the Gators have never beaten WC on the Vikings’ home field. They’ve only won twice in the series overall, the last time in 2002.

Vicksburg (6-4, 3-3 Region 2-5A) is riding high, though, after a 34-0 win over Murrah.

&#8220When we play like this, we’ve got a good little team,” Vicksburg coach Alonzo Stevens said.

The Gators made use of a long, 75-yard drive to open the game and then had a short field the rest of the night. The defense allowed Murrah just 38 yards.

&#8220We did good, now we want a playoff spot,” said VHS linebacker Harold Knight.

The Gator offense benefitted from a power running approach in a bid to limit costly turnovers.

&#8220We were able to hurt them both inside and outside,” Stevens said. &#8220We also tried to get the ball more to Delmon Robinson as a wingback. He’s like our Reggie Bush. We need to get him the ball and get people off us at the line.”

Robinson carried four times for 30 yards.

The big question for the Gators this week will be the status of sophomore quarterback Stanton Price. Near the end of the first half, Price sprained his ankle. The Gators were up 21-0 and Stevens kept Price out as a precaution.

&#8220We didn’t want to take a chance of him hurting it more, but he could’ve went,” Stevens said.

Freshman Les Lemons played the entire second half and hit on two passes for 35 yards, including an 18-yarder to Jordan Henry for a touchdown.

Warren Central, meanwhile, needed a pair of fourth-quarter stands deep in its own territory to escape with a 10-6 win over Provine.

The Vikings were outgained by nearly 200 yards, but forced three key Provine turnovers, the last an interception by Tiger Robinson to seal the victory.

&#8220We are very glad to get the win here tonight,” Robinson said. &#8220They had two chances inside the red zone and our defense needed to step up and make the plays.”

The Vikings, after losing three straight games early in the season, have won five in a row. The state playoffs begin on Nov. 18.