OLIVE BRANCH – My how things can go from good to bad for a football team.

Here Warren Central was, holding Olive Branch on its opening series of the second half. Warren Lewis got the punt off and Michael Robinson fielded it.

Then, Robinson got popped by defenders and fumbled. One Conquistador in the area, Antwon Peterson, scooped up the loose ball and returned it 13 yards for a touchdown.

That was the turning point in Olive Branch’s 28-6 Mississippi High School Activities Association Class 5A first-round playoff victory over the visiting Vikings.

&#8220The punt coverage team gets beat last week (vs. Tupelo) and how fitting it is for that unit to make the play that probably won the ball game for us,” Olive Branch coach Jamie Mitchell said. &#8220Antwon’s a guy that was knocked unconscious two weeks ago against Columbus.

&#8220We’ve been slow getting him back out there, but I couldn’t be prouder of him. He’s a great kid and a great competitor.”

The Conquistadors (11-1) will travel next week for a second-round contest at Madison Central, a 27-14 winner over Starkville.

The road trip shouldn’t be too bad on Olive Branch’s legs, especially since the Region 1-5A runnerup has employed a running back by committee approach. Junior Dematanise Hill and seniors Jon Cook and Jeremy Longstreet helped the Quistors rack up 268 yards on the ground.

&#8220Either guy … it just doesn’t matter,” Mitchell said. &#8220They all can get it done and they all have different strengths.”

Anthony Summers finished with 21 carries for 105 yards. Summers’ initial attempt accounted for the Quistors’ first touchdown, a 4-yarder, at the 7:04 mark of the opening quarter. The drive was set up by a 23-yard punt return by his brother, Markeith Summers.

Another Warren Central punt allowed Markeith Summers to shine again. He got some blocks and raced all the way down the Viking sideline to the 3. Two plays later, Cook bulled in for the TD. Marcel Klock, who started the game with consecutive touchbacks, kicked his second PAT and Olive Branch led 14-0 with 3:43 left in the period.

&#8220It felt real good to find the end zone,” said Cook. &#8220I had that (state championship) ring on my mind every time I ran the ball.”

The Vikings (7-5) finally got on track offensively following a fumble, recovered by Michael Holt at the Olive Branch 10-yard line late in the first quarter. After a pass interference penalty called on the Quistors, Vic Tyrone’s short gain was followed by Carleton Davis 2-yard TD plunge.

Warren Central, which was held to minus-6 yards rushing in the first half, concluded the night with 50. Throw in their 50 passing yards and the Vikings returned to Vicksburg squarely at the century mark in yardage.