For a couple of days, the Warren Central Vikings dwelled on the one that got away.

By Monday, those thoughts were flushed. There’s simply too much left to play for, and too many challenges ahead, to let any negative thoughts linger.

The Vikings (3-4, 2-1 Region 2-6A) begin the home stretch of their season tonight at Murrah (4-3, 1-2). A win would push them to the brink of their first playoff berth since 2009, and keep them on the inside track to a home playoff game.

The possibility of a region championship likely went by the wayside with last week’s 50-28 loss to Madison Central, but the consolation prizes are tempting enough to snap the Vikings out of any funk they might still be in.

“We watched tape Monday, talked and had a good meeting. It’s disappointing, but it’s time to learn from our mistakes and move on. We’ve got to regroup, get focused and get to 3-1,” WC coach Josh Morgan said.

The matchup with Murrah represents a critical point in WC’s season. If the Vikings win, and other results in the region fall their way tonight, they could be playing for a playoff berth next week at home against Clinton.

A loss, however, could drop them into a jumbled pack of teams fighting for three playoff spots behind first-place Madison Central. In that scenario, WC’s last three games could all amount to elimination games.

“These games are so important, because you not only get that win in the district, you get the head-to-head win, too,” Morgan said, before adding that he’s trying not to look too far ahead. “We’re really focused on being 3-1 in the district and having the opportunity to host a playoff game. That’s where all our focus is. You’re going to have to earn it.”

Earning it won’t be easy.

Murrah won four of its first five games before losing to region foes Madison Central and Clinton by a total of 10 points. The Mustangs are averaging 375.5 yards of total offense and 33.1 points per game.

Sophomore running back Malik Dear has 1,267 total yards and 19 touchdowns — 701 yards and 12 TDs rushing, and another 566 yards and seven TDs receiving — and has received the bulk of the credit for Murrah’s transformation from laughingstock to playoff contender.

Murrah went 1-10 in 2010, but is 10-9 over the past 11⁄2 seasons. Last year, it reached the playoffs for the first time since 1993 as Dear racked up more than 1,500 all-purpose yards.

Morgan, however, said the Mustangs are more than just Dear.

Senior running back Glenn Wiggens has 527 rushing yards and Alexander Price has 159. Five players besides Dear have caught at least five passes apiece.

“They’re very balanced,” Morgan said. “Their quarterback can throw it. They have a veteran offensive line, and they want to run the ball. That’s the reason they’re having success. They run the ball and throw off it.”