This is not the position Warren Central wanted to be in.

With an 0-2 record in region play, an offense stuck in neutral and second-ranked Madison Central coming to town tonight, the Vikings are buried in a hole that could get even deeper very quickly.

“We’re not really looking at the future. We’re looking at this week,” WC coach Josh Morgan said. “It’s a great opportunity to play a great football team. We’re looking to take it week by week and take advantage of an opportunity to beat one of the top programs in the state.”

Warren Central’s struggles have largely coincided with a major offensive slump. In the last three games, all losses, it has scored a total of 26 points — and that includes one defensive touchdown. Last week against Greenville-Weston, the Vikings (1-5, 0-2 Region 2-6A) managed only a field goal in an 8-3 loss.

Some of the offensive output can be pinned on the loss of a few key players. Tailback Shon Jackson suffered a torn ACL against Natchez, while offensive lineman Tim Comans moved out of state. Jackson, wearing a knee brace, played a few snaps against Greenville but didn’t have the same explosiveness he showed while rushing for 415 yards in WC’s first four games.

Jackson’s absence has stifled WC’s running game. It has rushed for just 116 yards in the last two games.

“We’re still trying to find something to keep a consistent offense. We’re not getting much out of our running game,” Morgan said. “Greenville put eight, nine in the box and we didn’t do a good job getting them off of us.”

Other players have been shifted to defense in an attempt to strengthen that unit and keep games close and low-scoring. Morgan said the coaching staff is tinkering with ways to best utilize the remaining talent.

“There’s two ways we can approach it. We can say it is what it is, or we can find a way to get it done,” Morgan said. “We’re not going to continue to do the same things. We’re going to keep searching until we find something that works.”

Most teams that tangle with Madison Central find that nothing works.

The Jaguars have won 21 consecutive region games — a streak that dates to 2007 — and three straight region titles. The last time they lost to someone other than South Panola was the second game of the 2008 season, when Picayune beat them 35-22. That was also Madison’s last loss in the regular season.

Warren Central hasn’t beaten Madison Central since 2005.

“They’ve taken over our district. The mental part of it is probably the biggest thing for us,” Morgan said. “Last year they jumped out on us so quick. The biggest thing is, we’ve got to believe we can play with them.”

WC quarterback Beau Wallace agreed. All of the streaks add up to a huge intimidation factor for Madison Central. Overcoming it will be as big a challenge as going toe to toe with the Jaguars’ talented roster.

“To win, everybody’s got to believe it. If one person doesn’t believe, more than likely you’re not going to win,” Wallace said. “It’s not really the situation we wanted. Madison is good, but we’re not going to look at it and say we’re scared. It’s just any other day.”