Greatest on the Gridiron: ’74 Warren Central vs. ’73 Warren Central

Published 3:10 pm Saturday, July 4, 2020

The first of two all-Warren Central matchups in this region features two Vikings teams just a year apart.

Legendary coach Lum Wright won nine games in his first season at Warren Central, but it took until his third to truly establish a dynasty. The 1973 Vikings won the first of five Little Dixie Conference championships during the decade — the equivalent of a Class 4A or 5A state title today.

Their only loss was by one point to Columbia in Week 3. It was the last loss the program suffered for more than two years.

(3) 1974 Warren Central vs. (6) 1973 Warren Central

  • 1974 Warren Central (79%, 41 Votes)
  • 1973 Warren Central (21%, 11 Votes)

Total Voters: 52

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That roll continued through the undefeated 1974 season, which ended with a perfect record and a second straight Little Dixie title.

Running back Leo Cage had 25 rushing touchdowns — a Warren County record that was broken a few years later — for an offense that averaged 30.8 points per game. He finished the season off with a 304-yard, five-touchdown performance against Clinton in the 1974 Red Carpet Bowl.

About Ernest Bowker

Ernest Bowker is The Vicksburg Post's sports editor. He has been a member of The Vicksburg Post's sports staff since 1998, making him one of the longest-tenured reporters in the paper's 140-year history. The New Jersey native is a graduate of LSU. In his career, he has won more than 50 awards from the Mississippi Press Association and Associated Press for his coverage of local sports in Vicksburg.

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