CLINTON — The 1-yard line was the downfall for Warren Central Friday night at Arrow Stadium.

Clinton’s defense stopped the Vikings three straight times on the 1-yard line early in the fourth quarter and recovered a fumble in the end zone with 2:28 left to seal a 24-10 victory.

The loss puts the Vikings’ playoff hopes on life support with a 1-4 record in Region 2-6A. Clinton vaults into the fourth spot and snapped a three-game losing streak.

There was no doubt from either WC coach Josh Morgan or Clinton’s Scott Brown where the game turned.

“It was definitely there on the goal line,” Morgan said. “We have to punch that in. We had four shots and didn’t do it. We had a tough time against their line. They were stout.”

Brown was glad to see his defense rise up.

“That was the difference,” Brown said. “We got fortunate. We couldn’t read their minds what they would do there, our kids just made the play.”

As the game turned into the fourth quarter, the Vikings trailed 17-7. Mississippi State commit Devon Bell watched a 53-yard field goal attempt bounce off the crossbar.

WC’s Jarvis Baldwin came back by stripping the ball from Clinton quarterback Cale Luke at the Clinton 24. He returned the fumble to the Clinton 4, giving the Viking offense a golden opportunity.

Given Breckenridge gained three yards to the Clinton 1. On second down, Aaron Stamps was stuffed for no gain. The same thing happened to Breckenridge on third down. After a timeout, WC went back to Stamps and he was met by six Clinton defenders for a loss of a yard and a turnover on downs.

WC got a score on its next possession as Bell nailed a 47-yard field goal with 6:46 left to make it 17-10.