fired up for slugfest on the pitch|[12/20/2005]

When Vicksburg High and Warren Central get together for their annual year-end soccer match, it’s usually what’s known as a &#8220friendly” – a nice little tuneup game and a chance for the coaches to scout each other for the division rematch a few weeks later.

Not this time.

Thanks to a change in the schedule that matches each team in Division 3-5A twice, Wednesday afternoon’s meeting will count in the standings – and could count for so much more.

&#8220It’s just not a tuneup game anymore. With both games counting now, it does make it a lot more meaningful as far as the playoffs are concerned and in our district, just getting out,” WC boys’ coach Jay Harrison said. &#8220It always means something when you play Vicksburg, but it puts a little more emphasis on playing and winning the game versus the rivalry.”

Having the game count toward the division race is the only thing different, though. Coaches on both sides expected the same tight, hard-fought game that WC and VHS always seem to bring out of each other.

The Vikings (4-5, 1-0) and Gators (7-4-1, 0-1) split a pair of 1-0 decisions last season. Vicksburg’s win in January was only its third against Warren Central since January 1996.

&#8220With it counting and being Warren Central, the guys will be ready. They always step their game up when it’s time,” Vicksburg boys’ coach Jason Bennett said.

The Lady Vikes and Missy Gators (7-6, 0-1), meanwhile, have played two one-goal games and tied twice in their last four meetings. The Missy Gators won a pair of 2-1 decisions last season, giving them 16 wins in their last 20 games against WC.

&#8220I expect us to come out and play, and I expect them to come out and play. I expect it to be 1-0, 2-1, something like that,” Missy Gators coach Kevin Manton. &#8220It’s going to be hard-fought as always.”

It’s too early in the season for this game to decide any playoff spots, but whoever wins will have a clear leg up. Madison Central’s boys and girls both appear to be the favorites in the division, while Greenville-Weston is clearly at the bottom.

Barring upsets, that leaves WC and VHS to slug it out for the division’s second and final playoff spot. Both the Vikings and Lady Vikes are 1-0 in the division, with wins over Greenville. Both Vicksburg teams lost to Madison Central in their only divisional games so far.

Warren Central and Vicksburg will play again on Jan. 24, in the next-to-last regular-season game for each.

&#8220You pretty much have to take these games one at a time,” Harrison said. &#8220They’re in control of what they do and we’re in control of what we do, and it’s too early to tell who would be in what standing. They’re good enough to beat us, Madison and Greenville and take the whole district. And I think we’re good enough to do it, and I know Madison is good enough to do it.”