The Warren Central Vikings still have a few kinks to work out and some preseason position battles to settle. None of that matters now, though, because the Vikings are ready for some football.

WC opens the season tonight at 6 against Memphis-Kirby in the Red Carpet Bowl at Vicksburg High. Although it’s the first game of the season for WC, it should play out more like a preseason game. Head coach Curtis Brewer said he plans to use the contest to get a look at as many players as possible and figure out his squad’s exact strengths and weaknesses.

&#8220It’s as much about what we can do with our offense and defense as what it is about what anybody else can do,” Brewer said. &#8220But if it’s worth turning the clock on, it’s worth winning.”

Brewer will have a number of things to evaluate with his own team, as well as trying to beat a Kirby team that’s a virtual unknown.

WC has new starters at every offensive skill position and six spots on defense. While most of the first-stringers have their jobs nailed down, Brewer said he planned to rotate in the backups for a series here or there to see how well they fare.

&#8220The second group, we plan on them being in the ballgame sometime early,” Brewer said. &#8220If they perform well, they might be in there a couple more times in the first half.”

While the Vikings are finding their footing tonight, Kirby will already be in the process of making adjustments.

The Cougars opened their season last week with a 38-6 loss to Craigmont (Tenn.). Kirby’s only touchdown came on an 86-yard fumble recovery by Justin Trezevant, and it managed just 32 yards and four first downs on offense. Kirby has only seven players with varsity experience back from last year’s team.

That nugget was more than Brewer knew. With Kirby playing so far away, scouting has been difficult for the WC coaching staff. The only film that Brewer was able to get was from Kirby’s spring game, and even the roster he obtained was from last season.

&#8220We have no contacts with the people there,” Brewer said. &#8220It’s kind of hard to bundle up and go watch them play.”

So, the Vikings will instead do what they do and hope for the best. If the recent past is any indication, it should be enough.

WC is 6-1 in its last seven Red Carpet Bowls. The only loss in that span was a 15-10 setback against Wayne County in 2001, and the Vikings have scored an average of 33.5 points in their last four RCB victories.

&#8220I think the coaches are ready, players are ready, everybody’s ready,” Brewer said. &#8220They’re waiting on it to happen.”