Clinton may have become one of Class 5A’s most consistent teams behind third-year coach Scott Brown and third-year starting quarterback Wesley Mounger. The pair, however, have yet to beat Warren Central.

The Arrows (6-2, 3-1) get another shot tonight when they welcome the Vikings (3-5, 2-2) to the brand new Arrow Stadium for a key Region 2-5A contest. Both teams are coming off big wins last week.

Clinton created a four-way logjam atop the region with a 31-14 pounding of first-place Northwest Rankin in Brandon. That win, coupled with Provine’s 28-26 win over Madison Central, leaves all four teams tied for first at 3-1. Warren Central moved to the top of the second division in the region at 2-2 with a 17-7 homecoming win over Murrah last week.

Vikings coach Curtis Brewer says his team’s recent success against Clinton — a 24-21 win at Clinton in 2005 and an 18-17 upset at WC last year — means little.

‘They don’t count this year,” Brewer. “Or course we are glad to go there with a chance to make the playoffs if we can do well these last three weeks.”

The Vikings also know what they are dealing with in Mounger, Clinton’s senior quarterback who has combined for 19 touchdowns both running and passing.

“This will be three years we’ve faced. He’s a guy who wants the ball in his hands,” Brewer said.

Mounger has rushed for 482 yards and passed for another 701. While Clinton no longer has Amonte Harper a 1,500-yard runner last year, but Johnny Jones has done a nice job at replacing him. Jones has 493 yards and seven touchdowns on the season.

Coming into the year, Brown said the two critical areas that the Arrows had to mold quickly was their offensive and defensive lines.

“With only one starter back that was a big area of concern, but we’ve played well there,” Brown said.

Brewer agrees.

“They’ve gained a lot of experience as the season has gone on. They do a real good job of zone blocking,” Brewer said.

Perhaps the biggest improvement has been on defense.

“Northwest Rankin has a very sound offensive scheme but Clinton showed a lot of fire on defense and that was a big deal that they were able to control them. Clinton is aggressive on defense and their linebackers make good reads and then they can run,” Brewer said.

The Vikings are nowhere near as explosive as Clinton, but they have made strides since an 0-3 start.

“Every game has been a heart beat for us. And every game left is really tough, but we have to focus on Clinton,” Brewer said.