MADISON — Warren Central played one of its most complete games of the season Friday night, but still couldn’t muster enough in a 21-14 Region 2-5A loss to Madison Central.

The Vikings scored both of their touchdowns on long, sustained drives — a marked improvement from the offensive struggles of the early season — and were tied four minutes into the fourth quarter.

But Madison Central drove 63 yards in 10 plays, scoring on a 3-yard run by Michael Johnson with 3 minutes, 43 seconds to play for the eventual game-winning touchdown.

“I think we outplayed them just a little bit,” Madison Central coach Bobby Hall said. “I thought they played a heckuva game, but we were able to make one or two more plays.”

After Madison took the lead, Warren Central took the kickoff and drove to the Madison 49-yard line, but Cleo Banks intercepted a tipped pass giving the ball back to the Jags at their own 36. Warren Central’s defense held, forcing a punt with 44 seconds left.

Ben Wau Caples returned the kick to midfield, but Sanders’ next pass was scooped inches from the turf by Madison’s D’Ondraye Jordan to seal the victory.

“Our kids played hard, they moved the ball and kept us in the ballgame and I am so proud of that,” WC coach Curtis Brewer said. “They never gave up all night. Overall, we played. There was no whining or crying or pushing.

“Our guys are disappointed, but they are just going to keep coming out and playing.”

Sanders completed 9 of 20 passes for 111 yards and played the entire game under center. Last week, he platooned with Larry Davis at quarterback and both saw action in practice this week.

Sanders and the Vikings took the opening kickoff of the game at their own 33. They faced a fourth-and-one at their own 42 yard line, earning a first down on a Joel Forbes run. Forbes, who had 75 yards on 21 carries, ran the ball six times on the drive, which also including completions of 24 yards from Sanders to Quinton Truly and a 15-yard completion to Caples. The scoring drive was capped by Travis Bell’s 11-yard TD run for a 7-0 lead.

Eighteen seconds later, Madison Central sophomore quarterback Peyton Johnson hit Justin Owen on a 40-yard touchdown pass to tie the game. Johnson, one of six sophomore starters for MC, threw his second TD pass, a 21-yarder to Ross Robinson to give MC a 14-7 lead at halftime.

Forbes’ touchdown with 8:48 left in the fourth quarter tied the game again before Johnson drove the Jags for the game-winning score.

Johnson completed 8 of 12 passes for 109 yards and a pair of touchdowns and the Jaguars ran for 149 yards on 38 carries.

The Vikings will continue its run through region play on Friday with a homecoming matchup against Murrah. Kickoff is scheduled for 7:30 p.m.

Briarfield 35, Deer Creek 21

Jeffrey Graham ran for one score and threw for another, and Sam Minsky returned an intereception 86 yards for a touchdown to highlight Briarfield’s win over Deer Creek.

Jordan Jong scored on a 9-yard run and Blake Lovell scored on a 19-yard run to round out the Rebels’ scoring.

Graham finished with 73 yards rushing and Jong added 63 yards for the Rebels (6-2, 6-0 Academy 2-A). Deer Creek fell to 5-3.