Forgive the Warren Central Vikings for feeling a little deja vu this week.

It wasn’t long ago – one year, in fact – that the Vikings were in the exact same position as now. In 2005, they followed a convincing Red Carpet Bowl win with less-than-stellar outings against Grenada and South Pike before facing a loaded Meridian squad.

The Vikings are hoping that’s where the similarities end.

WC packs up and heads east tonight to face the Wildcats, the 2005 Class 5A South State champions. Meridian enters this year’s contest ranked ninth in Class 5A.

WC coach Curtis Brewer said the Wildcats, despite a 1-2 record and a revamped spread offense, are as dangerous as ever.

&#8220The offense they’re running is as explosive as last year’s was powerful. It’s the same thing we’ve seen the last two weeks,” Brewer said. &#8220They’ll keep you thinking they’re going to throw deep and then throw underneath.”

Seeing another spread offense might not be as troubling for the Vikings as seeing their own offense sputter through another Friday night.

WC held Grenada and South Pike to a total of 34 points, but has managed to score just two touchdowns since a 37-0 win over Memphis Kirby in the season-opening Red Carpet Bowl. The offensive ineptitude has contributed to two consecutive defeats.

&#8220What we’ve got to do is correct those individual mistakes on plays,” Brewer said. &#8220It’s no one person. It’s something we have to focus on in preparing for the game on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday. You can’t get ready on Friday.”

Brewer said several lineup changes were planned for tonight’s game in an effort to jumpstart the offense – as well as shore up a defense that was victimized by injuries and big plays last week against South Pike.

Linebackers Wade Carter and R.W. Comans, along with defensive back Sean Elliott, are all banged up heading into tonight’s contest. Carter is tied for the team lead with 21 tackles, Elliott has a team-high two interceptions, and Comans has made 14 tackles.

Despite the recent slide and injuries, as well as the tough road ahead – WC hosts Northwest Rankin in the Region 2-5A opener next week – Brewer said it was way too early to write off the Vikings.

Other Warren Central teams have turned it around, he noted – including last year’s bunch, which made the playoffs after a 2-3 start.

&#8220Things can change, chemistry can develop, things can happen to help a team overcome adversity,” Brewer said. &#8220We’re going to have to get to where, when things go bad, we answer the bell. We can’t sit on the stool. We have to get in the ring and make things happen.”