Expectations ran high for Warren Central with a stellar Natchez team coming to Viking Stadium.

However, the end result in no way measured up, as the Bulldogs (4-0) ran away with a convincing 29-10 victory in the second half.

The Vikings (1-3) get a bye week to digest a very disheartening loss before opening Division 2-6A play against undefeated Northwest Rankin.

“We’ve got to look at ourselves in the mirror and figure out what we want to be,” Warren Central coach Josh Morgan said. “We’ve got to re-evaluate our goals. We’re OK as a team, but we need to play with intensity.”

The intensity waned in the second half, with the Vikings down just 14-7.

Natchez forced a disappointing three-and-out and a bad snap forced Devon Bell to shank a weak punt on the run, giving the Bulldogs a short field at the WC 49-yard line. The Natchez offense took full advantage, as quarterback Javon Washington scampered in from 10 yards to put the Bulldogs up two scores.

Another three-and-out put the WC defense back on the field and Bell did his best to flip field position, as his punt rolled out of bounds at the Natchez 18. But, from there, Washington took charge. He completed passes to Damion Williams and Derrian Johnson for first downs. The offense put the contest away with an 11-play, 82-yard drive that consumed much of the third quarter, capped by Williams taking the jet sweep handoff 15 yards to paydirt to put the Bulldogs up 26-7 with 1:27 remaining in the third.

Washington completed 14 of 23 passes for 208 yards and one touchdown, a 5-yard bubble screen to Trevon Chatman in the first quarter. On the ground, the senior quarterback rushed eight times for 119 yards and two scores.

The Bulldogs dominated the line of scrimmage, as running back Kevin Bailey rushed for 156 yards on 25 carries, most of it in the second half. The key was the play of Natchez’s offensive line against a young, inexperienced defensive front for WC.

“We’ve had instances of where we’re able to do that and we’re proud of our guys up front,” Natchez coach Lance Reed said. “Our guys were able to be physical up front and take charge.”

The big plays were lacking for the Vikings, especially after running back Shon Jackson suffered a left knee injury on the first series of the third quarter. Before going out, Jackson rushed for 114 yards on eight carries, with a 43-yard touchdown in the first quarter and a nice 20-yard scamper after a hook-and-lateral play.

The passing game was undone by poor pass protection and several huge drops, like the one by tight end Patrick Vernado that would’ve been a sure touchdown.

“When you don’t make plays to be proud of that get your fans and sideline into the game, you have no excitement,” Morgan said. “Football is played off of excitement and big plays.”