Warren Central’s rebuilding defense had an impressive debut Friday night.

Shakee Shaw returned an interception for a touchdown and the Vikings held Ridgeland to a single touchdown to win their preseason varsity jamboree game 28-7.

The teams played two quarters each with the junior varsity and varsity. Warren Central’s JV also beat Ridgeland, 21-14.

Warren Central is replacing seven starters on the defensive side of the ball. Head coach Josh Morgan said he was pleased with the reworked unit’s initial effort and looking forward to next week’s season opener in the Red Carpet Bowl against Oak Grove.

Running back Demarcus Jones also had three touchdown runs for WC.

“We’ve still got so much to work on and had the typical jamboree mistakes. But the effort was there,” Morgan said. “We needed to have a strong showing and start our momentum early. We’ll take all the confidence we can get.”

Morgan said he was also happy just to get back on the field. The team has been restricted to lifting weights and studying film for most of this week because of persistent rain and thunderstorms.

“We just needed to play. We weren’t able to practice the last two days. Then you get in the jamboree and there’s so many things you overlook in the game. We were proud to get it in,” Morgan said. “I thought our kids, with a week and a half of practice, executed well. I was proud of how they responded.”

Vicksburg High was scheduled to play in a jamboree at Port Gibson, but it was postponed because of rain and poor field conditions. It will not be rescheduled.

The Gators will open the season next Friday in the second game of the Red Carpet Bowl, against Wayne County at 8:30 p.m. at Memorial Stadium.