With more than a dozen new starters in the lineup, there’s still a lot for Warren Central’s players to learn about the game of football. One thing coach Josh Morgan feels certain they have down, however, is winning.

The Vikings head to Pearl on Friday night to begin the rest of the season after bashing Oak Grove 29-3 in the Red Carpet Bowl last week. It’s a high-profile game after a high-profile win, and with archrival Vicksburg looming next week it’s also a spot where some teams would suffer a letdown.

No matter what happens in Pearl, Morgan is confident his team won’t suffer.

“We have grown so much the last three or four years,” said Morgan, who has led Warren Central to a 28-10 record since the start of the 2013 season. “These juniors and seniors have been through adversity and big games, and been in film sessions where we addressed it. We have a mature, high I.Q. football team. I know our demeanor and mindset is where it’s going to need to be.”

The Vikings have every reason to be confident coming off the win over Oak Grove. Their rebuilt defense held the Warriors to 195 yards and a single field goal, while the offense rolled up 263 rushing yards and scored four touchdowns on a muddy track.

This week’s opponent is vastly different, though. In Pearl, the Vikings will face a team that put up 42 points against them last season and has nearly every key player returning. The game will also be on the artificial turf at Pearl High School, rather than the grass and mud of Memorial Stadium.

The Pirates put up 55 points and 421 yards in their opener against Richland. Receivers Johnquarise Patterson and Dylan Kelly each caught a touchdown pass, after combining for nearly 1,200 yards and 13 touchdowns last season.

“They have everything coming back,” Morgan said. “They were a young team last year. I know their coach and their community are high on their team. They have a big offensive line and one of the best receivers in the state out on the edge.”

It’ll be a big test for Warren Central’s defense, but it has passed its first two with flying colors. In addition to shutting down Oak Grove, the Vikings held Ridgeland to seven points in a two-quarter preseason jamboree — all while working seven new starters into the lineup.

Morgan said he was proud of the way the newcomers have handled themselves so far.

“Friday was a great team win. Over half the team it was their first start. We had linebackers, linemen, kickers, you name it, all starting for the first time,” Morgan said. “To handle it with the poise we did, that’s what I’m most proud about.”

Now the trick is to keep doing it as the games get tougher and the challenges increase.

“We’re still trying to find depth and get better,” Morgan said. “There’s so many things we can be better at. We’re trying to make a huge jump from Week 1 to Week 2, and trying to find a way to get better.”

FRIDAY’S AREA GAMES

All games start at 7 p.m.

Warren Central at Pearl (Radio: 105.5 FM)

Terry at Vicksburg (Radio: 1490 AM and 107.7 FM)

Glenbrook at Porters Chapel (Radio: 104.5 FM)

St. Aloysius at Pisgah (Radio: 101.3 FM)

Sharkey-Issaquena at Marvell Academy

Central Hinds at Brookhaven Academy

Rebul Academy at Kemper Academy

Port Gibson at Independence

Ridgeland at Clinton

• For live scoring updates on Friday night, visit twitter.com/vixpostsports, or facebook.com/thevicksburgpost/