In a few weeks, Warren Central and Vicksburg High will renew their football blood feud. For now, at least, they seem to be cheering for each other.

The two Warren County programs will open the season Friday night in the 54th annual Red Carpet Bowl at Vicksburg’s Memorial Stadium. Warren Central will play the first game of the doubleheader at 6 p.m. against Oak Grove, while Vicksburg will take on defending Class 5A champion Wayne County in the nightcap at 8:30.

It’s a chance for both local teams to make a mark against top-tier opponents. The opportunity to make a splash on a big stage is one Vicksburg coach Marcus Rogers is ready to seize — and he’s encouraging his crosstown rivals to do the same.

“I think it’s a big deal. A real big deal for us and for Warren Central. I was talking to one of their linebackers, Kamren Ellis, the other day at the swimming pool, and told him, ‘Do you understand the magnitude of what we’re going to go through Friday night?’ He said, ‘Coach, we’re ready.’ I told him we’re ready, too,” Rogers said. “Both of us need to get these W’s against some formidable opponents. Oak Grove is a team that contends for state championships every year, and Wayne County we know their history. It’s just going to be a real good night for football. We want everybody to come out. Take off work, and show some love for Warren Central and Vicksburg.”

Part of what makes this year’s Red Carpet Bowl such a showcase is the quality of the opponents.

Oak Grove was added to the Red Carpet Bowl lineup in March after Harrison Central dropped out. The Warriors are a perennial contender in Class 6A, having won the state championship in 2013, reaching the title game in 2014, and getting to the second round of the playoffs in 2015.

Oak Grove has won 10 or more games each of the past three seasons. They are one of only three Class 6A teams — along with South Panola and Brandon — to accomplish that feat.

Meanwhile, Warren Central is no underdog in this fight. It was one of six 10-win teams in Class 6A last season and won nine the year before that.

“Our program is no less than Oak Grove, I can promise you that. In our eyes, at least. I don’t know about anybody else’s,” Warren Central coach Josh Morgan said.

Wayne County, meanwhile, won the Class 5A championship in 2015 and is 43-12 over the past four seasons. This marks the first time since 2008, when South Panola played Vicksburg, that the Red Carpet Bowl will include a defending state champion.

The match-up of two Class 6A powers, Wayne County’s star power, and Vicksburg High trying to make its mark with a big home win out of the gate has made this one of the most anticipated Red Carpet Bowls in a while, Morgan said,

“It’s one of them, for sure. As far as the South is concerned, you have two of the biggest ones from 6A and 5A. If it’s not the best, it’s up there for sure,” Morgan said.

While Morgan and the Vikings deal with Oak Grove, Rogers and the Gators have been gearing up to face Wayne County — a program that has won four state championships and played for two others since 2002.

The War Eagles did lose 20 of 22 starters to graduation, but Rogers didn’t expect much of a dropoff.

“That’s a good thing,” Rogers, referring to the huge losses, said with a laugh. “They’ll just reload. Good programs, that’s every year you’re going to lose a senior class like that. Their backups are pretty good. I got a chance to watch them in the spring game against George County, and they’re not missing a beat.”

Wayne County is an explosive offensive team, particularly in the running game. It has averaged 193.1 yards and nearly three touchdowns rushing per game over the past four seasons.

Quarterback Reggie Stewart (2,714 passing yards, 27 TDs in 2015) and leading rusher Freddy Jordan (1,353 yards, 18 TDs) were both among last year’s seniors, however. The Gators have a solid, attacking defense that Rogers is hoping can give the War Eagles’ new starters fits.

“They run the ball right at you. Powers and counters. They’ve got a young quarterback this year. Any time you’re going against a young quarterback in his first game, I’m pretty excited about seeing him,” Rogers said. “With those defensive linemen and linebackers putting pressure on him, it should be an interesting night for us Friday night.”

Rogers said he was happy to get the fresh-faced War Eagles now, before they round into form. He quickly added, however, that he’d like to play them again when they’re at their peak.

A second meeting between them would be in the Class 5A championship game in Starkville in December.

“You don’t want to get them when they’re rolling. You want to get them at the beginning,” Rogers said. “But I’d love to play them in Week 16. That’s our goal is to play them again. But I’d love to play them first.”

RED CARPET BOWL

Friday, at Vicksburg High

6 p.m. – Warren Central vs. Oak Grove

8:30 p.m. – Wayne County vs. Vicksburg

Tickets: Tickets for the Red Carpet Bowl are $10 in advance or $12 at the gate. Advance tickets are available at River Outfitters, VHS and Warren Central high schools and junior highs, or the VWSD athletic office on Mission 66.