Rather than dwell on last week’s lopsided loss to top-ranked Madison Central, the Warren Central Vikings are looking ahead to tonight’s meeting with Murrah.

On the radio

7 p.m. 105.5 FM

Murrah at WC

The loss essentially eliminated WC from contention for the Region 2-6A title and locked it up for Madison. The Vikings (4-3, 2-1 in region play) can still finish second and earn a home playoff game by winning their last four games. That quest begins tonight against Murrah (2-5, 0-3), which is tied with Vicksburg for last place in the region.

“Our goal is to get home-field advantage for the first round playoff game,” WC coach Curtis Brewer said. “We’re still in position for the playoffs. We won’t win the region, but we’re not looking back, we’re looking ahead.”

One key factor that hurt the Vikings last week, but could aid them against the Mustangs, was the decision to have contact work outside in the mud.

“We just had to bite the bullet and get out there. We just had to get a good practice in on the field, so that we could work on our game plan for Murrah,” Brewer said.

Another plus will be the return of fullback John Gustavis. The 300-pound senior has been slowed by a bad back.

“This is the first time in two weeks that John can go,” Brewer said.

Murrah won two games earlier in the year against fellow Jackson Public Schools but has struggled in region play. The Mustangs have been outscored 99-21 in losses to Madison Central, Clinton and Greenville-Weston. Warren Central beat Greenville 12-0 two weeks ago.

“Greenville was able to get ahead of them and then they just sat on the ball. But Murrah has some good athletes. The quarterback is very skillful and the record they have is no indication to the type of team they have,” Brewer said.

The Mustangs are led by tailback Greg Riley, who has rushed for 595 yards and two touchdowns. Quarterback Jabri Harris has completed 27 of 67 passes for 267 yards. Jeredith Jiles paces the Murrah defense, having averaged 10 tackles per game.

The Vikings counter with rugged tailback Tim Jones, who averages 140.4 yards per game rushing. Having Gustavis back as a lead blocker should aid Jones, who has 10 rushing touchdowns this season but just one in his last three games.

Warren Central quarterback Beau Wallace has thrown for 569 yards and is looking for a rebound effort as well. LeBarron Lee and Patrick Taylor are the top receiving targets. They’ve combined for 23 catches, 259 yards and all three of Wallace’s touchdowns.

•

Contact Jeff Byrd at jbyrd@vicksburgpost.com