Two dramatic overtime wins over Madison Central have put Warren Central in position to claim the Division 3-5A soccer crown. But they will need to beat archrival Vicksburg tonight at Memorial Stadium, something they have not done in the last two meetings.

Both teams have qualified for the Class 5A playoffs, but a first-round home playoff game awaits the winner against a runner-up from northwestern Mississippi. Vicksburg won the Division 6-5A title last season and used the homefield advantage in the playoffs to reach the 5A boys championship match.

The Gators (12-6-1, 4-1) made it two straight wins over the Vikings with a 3-0 decision on Dec. 21 at Viking Stadium.

&#8220For years, the first game was just a regular game with the second one being the one that counted in the division. In those games, both teams have played really hard and they’ve been tight games,” said WC coach Jay Harrison.

The Vikings have turned around their season after struggling to a 5-8-1 record. They’ve won three straight, including a pair of 3-2 wins over Madison Central.

&#8220We played a hard schedule and only one of those games was a bad game, that against Clinton,” Harrison said. &#8220We came back after that loss and have turned it around.”

&#8220We changed a few positions and now have some guys in different places,” added WC sweeper Eric Richards.

The Vikings (8-8-1, 4-1) have gotten better play from their offensive players and in goal with keeper Craig Brown.

&#8220He saved us a few times at Madison Central and has given us a chance to win,” Harrison said.

But to beat the Gators, WC will need to finish plays from the start.

&#8220We need to be able to finish, especially at the beginning of the match,” Harrison said. &#8220We gave up a goal off a counter after we missed a few good looks. Giving up a goal like that early, can be deflating. We have to keep our heads in it.”

In the first meeting, VHS got goals from Michael Cooper, Ryan Ferrington and Clinton Collins. Keeper Bowen Woodson got the shutout.

&#8220We’ve got to put ball into the back of the net when we get the chance,” Richards said. &#8220We also have to contain their speed because that is their strength.”

WC will try to muster offense from a balanced attack coming from Seth Hudspeth, Tyler Wing, Dustin Smith and Heath Carroll.

For the Vicksburg Missy Gators (11-10, 2-3) and the Lady Vikes (11-8-1, 3-2), a playoff berth is at stake in their 5 p.m. match.

&#8220We need a win and hope it’s enough to get the tiebreaker,” said VHS coach Kevin Manton. Second-ranked Madison Central has clinched the division title.

Whoever comes out with the runner-up bid will have to head to the Mississippi-Tennessee line to battle either Horn Lake, Southaven or Olive Branch in the first round of the playoffs.

The Lady Vikes won the season’s first match, 1-0, back on Dec. 21. Kristine Fischenich had the goal and keeper Molly Beth Jourdan got the shutout. The win marked only the third time in the last 21 games that WC has beaten the Missy Gators.