Warren Central’s win over Greenville-Weston on Friday was a lot like eating brussels sprouts.

It was ugly to look at, not very appetizing going down, and now that it’s over, the Vikings get to enjoy a nice juicy steak.

WC used a strong running game and a stellar defensive effort to beat Greenville 12-0 and set up this week’s showdown with Madison Central, the top-ranked team in Class 6A and the No. 15 team in USA Today’s national poll. As if the opportunity to knock one of their biggest rivals of such a lofty perch isn’t enough, WC can also take control of the Region 2-6A race with a victory.

Conversely, Madison (6-0, 2-0) can all but wrap up the region championship by beating WC (4-2, 2-0). A win would improve the Jaguars to 3-0 in the region, with two of those victories over Clinton and WC — the two teams most likely to challenge them. None of Madison’s last four region opponents has a winning record.

“It’s a big game. I’ve been waiting for this one since ninth grade,” said WC running back and linebacker Tim Jones, who ran for 165 yards and a touchdown against Greenville and has 406 yards in his last two games. “We’re in good shape. But if we get this one, we’re in great shape for a state championship.”

Although Madison enters Friday’s game as a favorite, it will by no means take the Vikings lightly. Madison has won its last three games against WC, by a total of 36 points. Last season, WC was within four points midway through the third quarter before fading late and losing 28-10.

“We never gave them slack, and we’re not going to give them slack,” WC quarterback Beau Wallace said. “If we can get this one next week, it’s going to be one of the biggest wins ever.”

The Vikings enter the game on a roll. They’ve won three in a row, including last week’s ugly-but-effective game against Greenville. The Vikings only attempted five passes but rolled up 255 rushing yards.

They also held Greenville to 68 yards of total offense and didn’t let the Hornets inside the 25-yard line. That was a big difference from the week before, when they had to overcome a 12-point deficit with 15 minutes to play and beat Northwest Rankin in overtime.

Even so, WC coach Curtis Brewer said it would take a tremendous effort to knock off Madison Central. While the Vikings aren’t in awe, there is plenty of respect for a team that has outscored its last four opponents 142-16.

“There’s two people in the district that’s undefeated — Warren Central and Madison Central,” Brewer said. “We’ll have to play our best football game.”

*

Contact Ernest Bowker at ebowker@vicksburgpost.com